Akanimo Kufre
Coach Yemi Olanrewaju of Enyimba had predicted a tougher second-leg encounter against Etoile Filante in Uyo as both teams struggled for CAF Confederation group stage qualifications on Sunday.
Indeed, it was a cracker, as a full 90 minutes of play could not separate the goalless stalemate between both teams. Enyimba created more scoring chances but wasted them in the final third of the opponent side.
The visitors created fewer scoring chances, but goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe made a super save a few minutes to the end of the game to keep Enyimba’s clean sheet. Asibe went on to make more saves in a penalty shootout to secure Enyimba a spot in the next group stage.
” We are still building and we are going to get better. I thank the players and coaches in Enyimba for giving me the opportunity. They gave me that confidence and I had to grab it. As time goes on, I will continue to do my own part,” Asibe reacted after the game.
Meanwhile, Coach Yemi Olanrewaju said the present players at Enyimba are good but not as good as the olden-days players in terms of mental toughness.
Coach Yemi was responding to the goal draught in Enyimba FC and the ability of the current set of players to replicate the heroic intercontinental records of Enyimba FC some decades ago.
Enyimba edged Etoile Filante 3-2 on penalties after playing goalless draw at Bamako, Mali and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
