By Etop Umoidem
Nigeria’s sole representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup Football competition, Enyimba International of Aba are walking on a tight rope as they failed to beat visiting Horoya FC of Guinea in the first leg quarter finals fixture in Aba.
Augustine Oladapo’s first half effort was cancelled out by substitute Boniface Haba to help the Guinean giants secure 1 – 1 draw in Aba to make the return leg tie in Guinea a massive task for the People’s Elephant as Enyimba are fondly called.
Lamine N’ Diaye’s men were simply lethargic in the first half and deservedly went behind in the 18th minute from Augustine Oladapo’s ferocious left-footed strike after the Guinean’s backline was caught off guard from a free kick from the Nigerian.
Nevertheless, Horoya missed two golden opportunities to punish Enyimba in the first half with Aristide Bance and Alsewy Camara the culprit. With that vicious left-footed strike by Austine Oladapo, Enyimba went into the break with a slim lead.
On resumption of play, the Guineans made some tactical changes, with Aristide Bance and Sejkon Camara giving way to Tafadzwa Kutinyu to assist Horoya’s changes of obtaining favourable outcome in the match. The said changes paid off when Haba Boniface headed right into the lower left roof of the net after a smart cross from Boubacar Samassekou. However, Enyimba’s Victor Mbaoma missed what would have given Enyimba slander hope of standing any chance of advancing to the next round of the competition at the expense of Horoya of Guinea.
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The result, thus, means that Enyimba’s hope of winning the elusive CAF Confederation Cup now hangs on a cliff-hanger.
