Nigeria’s remaining campaigner in the continent, Enyimba of Aba yesterday beat Djoliba of Mali 2-0 to start the group phase of the Confederation Cup on a solid footing.
Goals from Isiaka Oladuntoye and Soporushi Dimgba handed Enyimba the win in the Group C opener played at U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Enyimba got off to an encouraging start and could have gone ahead after seven minutes, when Osadiaye Joseph did well to cut inside, before firing inches wide of the upright.
The Peoples Elephants continued to dominate and went even closer in the 29th minute when Ibrahim Mustapha rattled the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Omofoman Freedom was a major threat for Enyimba down the left flank and the striker was at the heart of all the hosts’ attacks in the opening 45 minutes.
Djoliba, meanwhile, was quite content to sit back and let the home side have the ball, with the hope of catching them on the counter. While, they also failed to test Abdul Dawuda throughout the opening stanza.
Paul Aigbogun’s side broke the deadlock on the 48th minute, as Oladuntoye did well to create space for himself before unleashing a sublime effort from 20-yards out.