Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nwankwo Kanu’s tenure as Enyimba FC Chairman, began on a shaky start yesterday as the two-time champions lost 4-3 against Libya’s Al Ahli Benghazi in the qualification round of the CAF Champions League on Sunday evening.
The People’s Elephant conceded some outrageous goals away against the Libyan team, thereby creating the impression that they are not likely to make any appreciable impact in the continent this season.
Finidi George’s wards shot into the lead barely three minutes into the game when Mbaoma Chijioke got on the scorers’ sheet.
Five minutes later, the hosts cancelled Enyimba’s edge. In the heat of trying to restore the lead, Imoh Obot conceded an own goal to give Benghazi advantage. Enyimba again levelled as Eze Ekwutoziam got the second goal for the former Nigerian champions.
The ding dong game was not over as two more goals by Benghazi ensured that the same Libyan team that Enyimba rode to kick off their Group A 2020/21 CAF Confederation Cup campaign on a flying note got the advantage going into the second leg fixture next week in Aba.
Elsewhere, Nigeria’s other entry in the CAF Champions League, Remo Stars, lost 1-0 to Medeama SC of Ghana also in the preliminary round fixture at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday night.
Medeama dominated the first leg encounter and would have scored more goals but for their poor marksmanship.
The home team took the lead through Jonathan Sowah in the 21st minute.
Sowah beat goalkeeper Kayode Bankole with a superb long range shot.
Daniel Ogunmodede’s side will need to score two goals without conceding in the reverse fixture to scale through.
The second leg is slated for the Remo Stars Stadium on Sunday, August 28.
