Enyimba have qualified for the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC) after a 95th-minute goal from Cyril Olisema gave the Nigerian side a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates on Wednesday night.
The Peoples Elephant needed a win going into their final Group A encounter against the South Africans to advance to the next stage of the competition.
At half-time and with the score pegged goalless, the Aba-based side were at the bottom of the group standings.
While many fans may have given up on the multiple Nigerian champions, Anayo Iwuala’s cross found Olisema; the latter wasted no time in slamming the ball past the Pirates’ goal to send his club to the next round.
Kudos boy 👏🏿
Your 10th assist this season… surely a #GameChanger#EFCPIR | #TogetherForVictory https://t.co/jgBc29N2F8
— Enyimba FC (@EnyimbaFC) April 29, 2021
Wednesday’s win ensured that coach Fatai Osho’s charges finished top of the group with three wins and three losses.
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Pirates had beaten Enyimba 2-1 in the reverse fixture of the encounter. Despite the loss in Nigeria, the South African club side made it to the quarters alongside Enyimba.
JS Kabylie; Jaraaf. CS Sfaxien, Cotonsport, Pyramids, and Raja Casablanca are the other teams that qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The draw for the next round of Africa’s second-tier club competition will be held on Friday, April 30th in Egypt.
An ‘Ultimate Aim’
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State had described Enyimba’s win as a testament to the indefatigable spirit of the club, thanking fans and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their support.
I wish to thank God for His GRACE which saw our darling indefatigable @EnyimbaFC rise to the challenge once again in their 1 – 0 victory last night over @orlandopirates at the Enyimba Intern’l Stadium, Aba.
The massive support the team received from her fans accross the…
— Okezie Ikpeazu (@GovernorIkpeazu) April 29, 2021
ultra mordern turf, complimented by a digital score board all of which were provided by our administration & which also attracted accolades from the match commentators!
Good Thinking, Good Product! Congrats Enyimba!
Let’s keep the flag flying until we achieve our ultimate aim! pic.twitter.com/tt7lr6KomU
— Okezie Ikpeazu (@GovernorIkpeazu) April 29, 2021
“The massive support the team received from her fans across the globe & particularly from the NFF under the able leadership of Pinnick Amaju should serve as tonic for greater commitment & hard work,” the governor tweeted on his official handle on Thursday morning.
“I’m personally thrilled by the fact that matches can now be played at the Enyimba International Stadium by 10pm with floodlights on an ultra mordern turf, complimented by a digital score board all of which were provided by our administration & which also attracted accolades from the match commentators!
“Good Thinking, Good Product! Congrats Enyimba! Let’s keep the flag flying until we achieve our ultimate aim!”
