Enyimba FC of Aba, yesterday night, advanced into the quarter finals of the CAF Confederations Cup after a late winner by Cyril Olisema in the 95th minute.
There were mixed feelings going into the match as the group remained open for all four contestants to progress. Progression depended largely on the outcomes from both matches played simultaneously. Permutations, therefore, became rife before kick-off at 10pm (Nigerian time).
It was a nervy encounter as both teams were very cautious trying to contain each other in the early stages of the first half. Enyimba became more aggressive searching for goals to enable them progress into the knockout stage of the competition but the Bucaneers’ defence was very resilient till the 95th minute when Olisema tapped in to fire the Aba side into top of the group with 9 points.
The Peoples Elephant, as such, heads into the quarter finals with Orlando who also qualified despite the loss. Enyimba tied Orlando Pirates at 9 points but were topped the group due to head-to-head rule. ES Setif defeated Al Ahly Benghazi 1 – 0 at home to place third while Benghazi came fourth. Both of them miss out of the quarter finals.
Meanwhile, at the end of matchday 6 matches of the competition, the quarter finalists for the CAF Confed Cup are Enyimba, Orlando Pirates, JS Kabylie, Cotonsport, Jaraaf, CS Sfaxien, Raja Casablanca and Pyramids FC.
The draw for the knockout stages of both the CAF Champions League and the Confed Cup comes up tomorrow, Friday, 30 April.
CAF Conded Cup, Matchday 6 Results
Wednesday 28 – Thursday 29 April
Enyimba 1-0 Orlando Pirates
ES Setif 1-0 Al Ahly Benghazi
RS Berkane 2-1 Cotonsport
JS Kabylie 2-1 NAPSA Stars
Etoile du Sahel 2-1 Salitas
CS Sfaxien 0-0 ASC Jaraaf
Raja Casablanca 2-0 Nkana FC
Pyramids FC 1-0 Namungo
Azuka Edokobi is a Writer , a Farmer, a Supply Chain Expert and an Entrepreneur
