CAF Champions League: Mfon Udoh’s hattrick sinks Etoile du Sahel

Enyimba International put up a sterling display on Sunday as they thrashed Tunisian club, Etoile du Sahel, 3-0, in their CAF Champions League tie played at the Adokiyie Amiesimaka stadium.

Mfon Udoh was the hero for Nigeria’s sole surviving team in CAF Club competitions as he scored all the three goals in Sunday’s encounter.

Enyimba head coach, Paul Aigbogun, put out an attacking side with five-offensive-minded players in Udoh, Abu Azeez, Joseph Osadiaye, Christian Pyagbara and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu.

Three minutes into the game, Udoh should have put the Nigerian side ahead but fluffed his opportunity as Etoile played deep.

Osadiaye was already turning himself to a pain in the neck for the Etoile defence with his mazy runs and deservedly got himself a spot kick when he was upended in the eighth minute.

Udoh stepped up and scored his fifth goal in the CAF Champions League.

On the quarter of an hour, Pyagbara’s attempt from close range was scrambled away by Etoile goalkeeper Aymen Balbouli to keep his side in the contest.

The Peoples Elephant were certainly in the mood for this game and created chances before the break. Pyagbara, Udoh and Ifeanyi Anaemena came close to increasing Enyimba’s tally.

12 minutes into the 2nd half, Enyimba scored their 2nd on the night albeit happening by chance. Dare Ojo’s shot from range came off the foot of Udoh who claimed his brace for the day.

Enyimba had Etoile with their backs pinned to the wall but Azeez and Ojo failed to increase The People’s Elephant’s tally.

Sixteen minutes to the end, Etoile were reduced to 10 men. Ghazi Abderazek was sent off for a second bookable offence and four minutes later Udoh completed his hat-trick.

The two-time African champions who are keen to rule the continent will hope they can at least protect their lead in the second leg tie billed for a fortnight.