Enyimba has qualified for the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals after beating CARA Brazzaville 1-0 in an explosive tie at the new Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
The lone goal was scored by substitute Wasiu Alalade which gave Enyimba all three points in a game which the visitors defended for 90 minutes.
The Two-time African champions finished top of Group C with 12 points while CARA finished second with nine points. Williamsville AC of Ivory Coast finished third with eight points after their goalless draw with bottom-placed Malian club Djoliba on Wednesday.
The People’s Elephant will play 2018 CAF Confederation Cup Group D runners-up Rayon Sports of Rwanda in the quarter-finals with the first leg coming up on September 14. CARA play USM Alger, who won Group D with 11 points.
Coach Usman Abdallah retained went into the game with the same starting line-up from the 1-0 win over Djoliba in Bamako with Theophilus Afelokhai in goal, Andrew Abalogu, Ikouwem Udoh, Ifeanyi Anaemena and Isiaka Oladuntoye in the defense while Farouk Mohammed, Austin Oladapo, and Bashir Abdulrahman were in the midfield. Captain Mfon Udoh, Sunday Adetunji, and Stanley Dimgba played in the attack.
Enyimba dominated the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup game from the first minute and in the fifth minute, CARA goalkeeper Chancel Massa was called to action after Mfon Udoh struck at goal.
In the 16th minute, left-back Ikouwem Udoh got another chance but his effort was gathered by Massa after firstly spilling the shot.
The Nigerian side kept pressing the visitors as they searched for the opening goal and in the 22nd minute, Mohammed’s free-kick failed to break the stalemate after he curved it away from Massa’s goal.
Photo Credit: Goal.com
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago