Sports
Enyimba Decries Champion’s League Hostility In Tunisia
The ill treatment meted to
Enyimba FC players by Etoile Du Sahel of Tunisia was a ploy to distract Enyimba in the group stage of the CAF Champions League, Enyimba’s top scorer Mfom Udoh said.
The sensational striker made the assertion in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
Udoh, who was reacting to the outcome of the match with the Tunisian side, said that Enyimba had an ugly experience during the qualifiers in Tunisia.
The current highest goal scorer in the CAF Champions League with seven goals helped Enyimba to the group stage when he scored a sensational hat-trick in the first leg of the competition.
The former Akwa United striker scored 23 goals for the People’s Elephant last season to emerge the league’s highest goal scorer.
“The hostility meted out to us by our host is a ploy to distract our team from winning the crucial encounter.
“The Tunisia game is over now and we are happy that we won which is the most important thing.
“We scaled through, in spite of the antics of the Tunisians, what happened are antics and distractions to make us lose focus which almost happened.
“What we need to do now is to prepare well ahead of other tough matches, football is a challenge and we want to make sure that the cup comes back to Nigeria.
“We are already challenged and we are on the right track now, it is our target to return the cup which had eluded us. We are working hard to achieve that,’’ he said.
On Enyimba’s prospect of retaining the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) top slot in the current season, Udoh said the club was on course to achieving the feat again.
“We have what it takes to retain the NPFL; we must match our records even to do well in the continental. We have to take it from home where charity begins.
“We are aware of our status at home and abroad and we will ensure that we do well domestically.’’
Udoh added that he might be plying his trade in the North African club but that his task was to ensure that Enyimba had something to show at the end of the season.
According to the Media Officer of Enyimba, Farriel Alaputa, the team was badly treated by their host, prompting a petition to CAF on the matter.
Alaputa said that no Etoile du Sahel representative was on ground to receive the team except officials of the Nigerian embassy who assisted them.
“ The threat of violence was so high that Enyimba officials were on the bench during the game as that was the only safe place they could hide.
“In spite of that, rocks, iron rods and plastic bottles were rained down on the roof of the bench throughout.
“During half time, the match officials and match commissioner were victims of the stoning and they had to retreat to the bench of Etoile,’’ he said.
Enyimba FC, two-time winner of the CAF Champions League, is the nation’s only representative left in the continental competition this season.
Other Nigerian representatives, including Akwa United, Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves crashed out before the group stages.
However, basking in the euphoria of their remarkable victory over the reigning CAF Confederation Cup winners, Enyimba got what they did not bargained for in Tunisia.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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