Enyimba will face Rwanda’s Rayon Sport in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal after a stoppage time winner by Wasiu Alalade saw the club beat CARA Brazzaville of Congo to win Group C yesterday at the refurbished Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Enyimba won the group on 12 points, while CARA finished runners-up after Williamsville of Cote d’Ivoire could only manage a goalless draw in Abidjan, with bottom team, Djoliba of Mali.
CARA will now battle Group D winners, USMA of Algeria, who beat Gor Mahia from Kenya 2-1 in their final group game on Wednesday.
Enyimba controlled the game and created the better chances against CARA, who trounced them 3-0 in Brazzaville in the reverse fixture.
READ ALSO Hopes and dreams deferred in self-exile
However, the brilliance of goalkeeper and skipper Chancel Massa, as well as some poor finishing combined to deny Enyimba the advantage desperately needed.
Skipper Mfon Udoh was the soul of the attacking forays of Enyimba, but he was severally denied by goalkeeper Massa, including early in the second half, when the CARA skipper rushed out to make a point-blank save with the NPFL all-time top scorer heading for goal.