Enyimba thrash Diambars to qualify for CAF Confederation Cup group stage playoff
Rivers United, Bayelsa United lose to opponents
Enyimba picked up a 3-0 win over Senegalese side Diambars FC in their CAF Confederation Cup playoff match at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba to go through to the group stage playoffs via a 4-0 aggregate victory.
After picking up an important 1-0 win away from home in the first leg, the People’s Elephant were out to consolidate the performance and move closer to a group stage place in the CAF Confederation Cup when Diambars came to town.
After being unavailable for the first leg, Enyimba star Tosin Omoyele quickly showed coach Finidi George that he remains just as important to him. The striker scored from a Victor Mbaoma pass in the first minute to give Enyimba the lead before their Senegalese opponents could even settle.
Omoyele had a chance to double his and the team’s tally just 12 minutes later, but the Enyimba forward narrowly missed after being set up in the box.
Omoyele’s strike partner Mbaoma continued with his impressive continental form for the People’s Elephant as he added a second just after the half-hour mark to put Enyimba firmly in control of the tie at halftime.
Diambars sought to raise the tempo in the second half and forced new Enyimba goalie Olorunleke Ojo into several brilliant saves before the game was finally put to bed by new signing Samuel Kalu in additional time at the end of the second half.
The striker combined with fellow new signing Chukwuemeka Obioma before stroking the ball into the net to round off the scoring for the home side and book their passage into the CAF Confederation Cup group stage playoffs in style.
Enyimba will be joined in the playoffs by fellow NPFL side Rivers United after the Pride of Rivers lost 2-1 to Sudanese side Al Hilal Omdurman on aggregate in their CAF Champions League playoff. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Port Harcourt, Al Hilal defeated Rivers United 1-0 at the Suez Stadium in Egypt in the second leg to condemn them to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage playoffs.
NNL side Bayelsa United saw their dream run in the CAF Confederation Cup ended by Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien. They were beaten 4-0 in Tunisia after picking up a shock 1-0 win at home, ending up losing 4-1 on aggregate.
