Enyimba 2-1 ES Setif: resilient Elephants rise to top of group A

Tosin Omoyele scored the winner as Enyimba recovered from an early setback to beat ES Setif 2-1 in a display of character and grit at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday.

Setif broke in front in the twelfth minute when inspirational captain Akram Djanit chipped over the Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble for Bekrar to tap into a yawning net, and could have multiplied their lead in a half that saw the Algerians navigate an easy route through the Enyimba defence.

The attacking trio of Bekrar, Amoura and Ahmed Kendouci always looked a handful for Fatai Osho’s men and Noble was often called to the rescue in an opening half hour largely dominated by the visitors. 

Despite being second best at the beginning, Enyimba had the chance to draw level midway through the half but Oladapo’s penalty, after Dayo Ojo was tripped in the box, was well read and parried out by Sofiane Khedairia. The captain, however, redeemed himself five minutes from the break with a low drive from the edge of the box for his third in three matches.

The hosts survived a threat early in the second half before eventually taking control, and Omoyele made their improved performance count when he wasted no time on Anayo Iwuala’s pass before sending a low drive into the far post.

Dare Olatunji and Cyril Olisema were sent on in a midfield rejig, and the latter was heavily when Anayo was felled in the box in the latter stages, but the referee booked the forward for simulation.

The win has given Enyimba leadership of group A at the end of matchday three, after the group’s other fixture between AlAhly Benghazi and Orlando Pirates in Libya ended goalless. 

OMOYELE, SCORER OF WINNERS

Tosin Omoyele has now netted five goals in Enyimba shirts, his previous four coming in the NPFL while Sunday’s strike was his first in the Confederation Cup. Interestingly, four of those five have been match winners (against Katsina United, Plateau United, Dakkada FC and ES Setif). The nearest to his match-winning tally are Victor Mbaoma who has scored three winners (against Rahimo FC, Al Merreikh and Al Ahly Benghazi).

OLADAPO’S LONG RANGE PROWESS

Austin Oladapo has scored in Enyimba’s three group A fixtures so far. Overall, the midfielder has netted seven times in his last eleven appearances in the CAF Club Competitions, six of which were from outside the box. 

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