Asibe's Heroic Penalty Saves Earns Enyimba CAF Confederation Group Stage Qualification

 

..As Coach Yema Appreciates Teams Resilience, Mental Strength 

Enyimba FC secured a hard-fought 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Etoile Filante, advancing to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages after a tense goalless draw in regulation time.

The highly anticipated clash between Nigerian champions Enyimba FC and Burkinabé side Etoile Filante lived up to expectations, with both teams displaying resilience and determination.

Enyimba dominated possession early on, with forwards Joseph Atule and Ismail Sarki testing Etoile's defense. The visitors responded with counter-attacks, but Enyimba's defense, led by captain Imo Obot, held firm.

The intensity increased after the break, with both teams pushing for the opener. Enyimba's striker Alade Balogun came close in the 65th minute, but his effort sailed narrowly wide. Etoile's Issouf Sosso nearly capitalized on a defensive error in the 89th minute, only to be denied by Enyimba goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe.

With the score line remaining goalless after 90 minutes, the match headed to penalties. Enyimba's goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe made two crucial saves, while Alade Balogun, Eze Ekwutoziam, and Imo Obot converted their spot-kicks to secure a 3-2 victory.

"We showed resilience and determination," said Enyimba FC Head Coach Yemi Olanrewaju. "I wish we could have ended the game before penalties. The penalty shootout win shows our mental strength." 

Coach Olanrewaju praised goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe's heroics: "We have to give it to this young man who made massive saves in the game."

Etoile Filante Coach, Brahima Traoré, praised his team's effort: "We gave our all, but unfortunately, it wasn't our day."

Enyimba FC will now shift focus to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), hosting Lobi Stars on Wednesday, September 25th, at the Enyimba Stadium in their first home game of the season.