Match report: Enyimba 2-1 Ahli Benghazi
Victor Mbaoma scored in his second straight start to ensure Enyimba opened their Confederation Cup group stage account with a 2-1 win against Ahli Benghazi on Wednesday afternoon.
Mbaoma bundled in a loose ball to earn Fatai Osho’s men maximum points after Abdallah Imhamed’s penalty had struck off Austin Oladapo’s opener.
As it has become customary of Oladapo, it was his long range strike in the ninth minute that opened scoring, the captain picking up a cleared corner kick and hammering home from twenty-two yards.
The visitors did not take long to draw level, though, as Imhamed put in a perfect foot to dispatch from the spot after Anthony Omaka was penalised for a foul in the box.
Samson Obi, making only his third appearance for the season, tore through the backline in search of Enyimba’s second, but goalkeeper Aboubakar Abdujwad stood strong to save what could have been an incredible goal.
Enyimba eventually regained the lead two minutes before the break as Mbaoma was on hand to squeeze the ball over the line after Anayo Iwuala’s freekick was spilled by the goalkeeper.
John Noble showed class to come out on top in a one-on-one dwell, while Mbaoma fell short of converting Anayo’s low pass as the second half took an end-to-end dimension.
Mbaoma was again denied from close range while substitutes Orok Gabriel and Cyril Olisema came close as the hosts dominated the closing stages.
Click here for full match statistics.
Comments (1)
Thomas Wisdom Kalu
A great start for the Aba based outfit, the campaign only began, and a maximum 3 points in the bag would spur this side to go into other games with character and enthusiasm. The team would this form of doggedness and attitude going forward as to last on this itinerary.