Enyimba bask in African League glory
Dec 13, 2004
Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba came in one minute from time, made one save as Enyimba made history by successfully defending the MTN CAF Champions' League title after 36 years. The victory via spot kicks sent fans wild with jubilation.
By Norman Katende
in Abuja, Nigeria
Enyimba 2(1) Etoile 1(2)
Aggregate 3-3
Enyimba win 5-3 (penalties)
Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba came in one minute from time, made one save as Enyimba made history by successfully defending the MTN CAF Champions' League title after 36 years. The victory via spot kicks sent fans wild with jubilation.
The club walked home $950,000 richer while the local federation got a $50,000 cash reward.
Celebrations continued yesterday as thousands of fans gathered outside the team hotel to continue a raucous party that started immediately after Sunday's shootout victory over Tunisian side Etoile Sahel in front of a capacity crowd at the national stadium.
Former Congo Kinshasa's TP Mazembe Eglebert was the first club to defend the title in 1963.
Fans jammed the stands as early as 1pm dressed in green and white, reflecting Nigeria and Enyimba, others in blue while others were in yellow WATFON, the MTN network in Nigeria.
Custodian Vincent Enyeama's well taken penalty shot at one minute to the break rewarded the fans for their support.
Muri Ugunbiyi stretched the margin after the break but Baya Zoubaier's good header changed the tide of the game.
Aiyenugba - the hero against another Tunisia club Esperance, gave Enyimba the trophy with one save.
Chaotic celebrations inside the stadium were sparked off after Enyimba captain Obinna Nwaneri converted a penalty to secure a 5-3.
Fans poured onto the pitch and ripped up advertising hoardings as officials and players ran to the dressing rooms. The presentation of the trophy was delayed by an hour as police struggled to restore order.
in Abuja, Nigeria
Enyimba 2(1) Etoile 1(2)
Aggregate 3-3
Enyimba win 5-3 (penalties)
Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba came in one minute from time, made one save as Enyimba made history by successfully defending the MTN CAF Champions' League title after 36 years. The victory via spot kicks sent fans wild with jubilation.
The club walked home $950,000 richer while the local federation got a $50,000 cash reward.
Celebrations continued yesterday as thousands of fans gathered outside the team hotel to continue a raucous party that started immediately after Sunday's shootout victory over Tunisian side Etoile Sahel in front of a capacity crowd at the national stadium.
Former Congo Kinshasa's TP Mazembe Eglebert was the first club to defend the title in 1963.
Fans jammed the stands as early as 1pm dressed in green and white, reflecting Nigeria and Enyimba, others in blue while others were in yellow WATFON, the MTN network in Nigeria.
Custodian Vincent Enyeama's well taken penalty shot at one minute to the break rewarded the fans for their support.
Muri Ugunbiyi stretched the margin after the break but Baya Zoubaier's good header changed the tide of the game.
Aiyenugba - the hero against another Tunisia club Esperance, gave Enyimba the trophy with one save.
Chaotic celebrations inside the stadium were sparked off after Enyimba captain Obinna Nwaneri converted a penalty to secure a 5-3.
Fans poured onto the pitch and ripped up advertising hoardings as officials and players ran to the dressing rooms. The presentation of the trophy was delayed by an hour as police struggled to restore order.