'95th minute magic' - Nigerians celebrate Enyimba as South Africans slam 'weak' Orlando Pirates

Taiye Taiwo @Tayo_taiwo

A nervy finish in Aba on Wednesday night saw the Nigerian giants advance into the quarter-finals of the Caf tournament with a late winning goal
It was mixed feelings for Nigerians and South Africans as Enyimba defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the final Group A match in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Fatai Osho’s men started Wednesday’s encounter in search of a win to confirm their place in the knockout stage but they found it difficult to break their South African visitors until the 95th minute.

Cyril Olisemah tapped in a late match-winning goal that fired the Nigeria Professional Football League giants to the top of Group A with nine points after six matches.

Despite the loss in Aba, Orlando Pirates qualified for the next round as the second-best team in the group with nine points after the same number of games.

In their reactions to the result, South Africans were disappointed to see the Buccaneers drop points at the Enyimba International Stadium while Nigerians are praising the resilience shown by Fatai Osho’s men.

PlayMaker14:
Before the game at Aba, one would be needing a "Four Figure Table" and a brand new Casio calculator to know if Enyimba stands a chance of advancing to the next round.


I remember the time of Coach Okey Emordi with a very funny looking mustache, way back 2003, the People's Elephant do qualify from their group with ease even when they're paired with the stubborn North African clubs, you won't be needing a calculator then... Now, the People's Elephant are a shadow of themselves.


Back then, you'll be proud to identify with Enyimba and Dolphins Fc doing the country proud.

Congratulations to Enyimba Fc, I pray they advance to the final.

naptu2:


I think Kadiri Ikhana was the coach in 2003 and Okey Emordi was the coach in 2004

PlayMaker14:
Yeah, you're right, but the People's Elephant flourish under Okey Emordi... At one point, Kadiri Ikhana was having this secret selection tussle with the Chairman of the club then.

Good memories of the People's Elephant.

naptu2:


Yeah, but they flourished under both coaches. Ikhana gave them their first African Champions Cup and Emordi gave them their second.

PlayMaker14:
Lol, but Okey Emordi tactical nous was second to none... He reminds me of how Arsené Wenger handled the Invincibles.

Ikhana on the other hand was not given the "free hand" by the chairman while in charge.


I have forgotten the name of that man sef.

naptu2:


Felix Anyansi-Agwu.

You are right. Both Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Felix Anyansi-Agwu were on Ikhana's case. If you remember, Governor Kalu actually sat on the bench during the first Champions League final. People asked him about it afterwards and he said that he was listed as a member of Enyimba's technical crew.

naptu2:


Felix Anyansi-Agwu.

You are right. Both Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Felix Anyansi-Agwu were on Ikhana's case. If you remember, Governor Kalu actually sat on the bench during the first Champions League final. People asked him about it afterwards and he said that he was listed as a member of Enyimba's technical crew.