Nigeria's Enyimba silenced in Congo-Brazzaville

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday May 16, 2018. 17:52

Enyimba were handed a 3-0 defeat by Cara Brazzaville in a CAF Confederation Cup, Group C clash on Wednesday afternoon at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat.

Paul Aigbogun’s men suffered a massive loss and now sit third in the group with three points, only behind WAC and CARA on goal difference.

Cara dictated the proceedings in the opening five minutes and Dicha Liema attempted a long range shot which was tipped over the cross bar by Fatau Dauda.

In the 12th minute, the Nigerians were unlucky when Andrew Abalogu’s header from the far post was cleared off the line and hit the cross bar.

However, Cara found the back of the net two minutes later through Racine Louamba who was alert to pounce on a rebound to beat Dauda from close range, 1-0.

Against the run of play, Cabwey Kivutuka made it 2-0 for the hosts after beating Dauda on his right corner with a low shot in the 17th minute.

It went from bad to worse for the Nigerians when the hosts scored their third goal through Liema in the 19th minute, 3-0.

Massa would produce a fine save to deny Enyimba as the Nigerian Premier League side pushed to bag a solitary goal right on the stroke of half time.

It was 3-0 at the interval.

The hosts continued where they left off and came close to netting their fourth goal when Dauda was saved by his left post in the 51st minute.

After the hour mark, Freedom Omofoma beat two defenders in the box before seeing his well struck shot sailing wide.

The hosts enjoyed their football in the 80th minute and Richy Ondongo toyed with Ikouwem Udo on the left flank, but could only hit the cross bar.

The Congolese outfit now sit at the top of the table with three points from two matches following the win a superior goal difference.

Cara Brazzaville: (3) 3 (Louamba 14’, Kivutuka 17’, Liema 19’)
Enyimba: (0)

Cara Brazzaville: Massa, Liema (Tekasala 61’), Louamba, Mbo, Epoyo, Chancy, Ondongo, Kinfounia, Ankira (Mbangou 83’), Kivutuka, Mbangou.

Enyimba: Dauda, Abalogu, Ogbonna, Oladuntoye, Udo, Udeagha (Freedom 38’), Mohammed, Oladapo, Dimgba (Bashir 60’), Alalde, Chikwude (Okonkwo 84’).