Aiyenugba takes Enyimba to finals
By Christian Okpara
DELE Aiyenugba was the hero. The former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, who was brought in by Coach Okey Emordi in anticipation of a penalty shoot out, repaid the coach's confidence in him, stopping three penalties to take Enyimba to their second final in two years.
Aiyenugba came in for regular goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, less than seven minutes to regulation time because he is rated better than Enyeama in penalty situations. And he stopped three of the Tunisian spot kicks.
Enyimba had boasted before leaving for Tunisia that they would defeat Esperance in Tunisia. And they did just that, although victory did not come easy.
The match, which kicked off at exactly 4.00 p.m., started on a slow pace as both teams took time to size each other up.
But the tempo changed midway into the first half as Enyimba which needed to score to qualify, took the fight to the Tunisians.
Esperance's players, Tunisian Brazilian-born international Jose Clayton, Issam Jomaa and Kamel Zaiem, against the run of play, in a rare slick move on wet pitch, combined to set up striker Ali Zitouni, who tapped in a loose cross from the left just two minutes before the break to make matters worse for the defending champions.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Esperance.
Knowing that they had all to lose if they didn't get the equaliser, Enyimba threw everything at Tunisians, with goalkeeper Enyeama leading the onslaught with long kicks to his strikers.
They increased the pressure in the second half and deservedly levelled in the 60th minute when David Tyavkase swerved, meandered and ran at retreating Tunisian defenders to score with a low shot past Jean-Jacques Tizie. .
The Aba team appeared more likely to break the deadlock until substitute Skander Souayah squandered a good chance for Esperance deep in injury time, hitting the side netting when unmarked inside the penalty area.
And then it was time for spot kicks.
Aiyenugba, whose cool look belied his agility, saved spot kicks from Zied, Triki and Zaiem while Souayah and Bhairi missed.
The win for the current African champions came when Beninoise international midfielder, Muri Ogunbiyi, converted his penalty kick to give Enyimba the lead in the penalty shoot out count.
Tunisian defender Zied Bhairi then blazed his spot kick over and the legendary 'Blood and Gold' were eliminated.
The result was heartbreaking for Esperance, which also lost at the semi-finals stage of the competition in 2001 and last year after being runners-up in 1999 and 2000.
Few neutral observers gave Enyimba a chance after mediocre recent form at home, a lack of fire power in attack, and the refusal of consistent scorer Ndidi Anumunu to travel after being left out of the starting line-up lately.
Enyimba coach Okey Emordi boldly vowed to attack in North Africa and kept his promise, packing midfield with offensive players and although they created few clear cut chances were unlucky to trail 1-0 at half-time.
Enyimba are aiming to emulate Tout Puissant Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only club that has successfully won the title back to back after their victories in 1967 and 1968.
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