Finidi George’s first home game as Enyimba head coach turned to be as memorable as it could be as two first-half goals and a late third handed the People’s Elephant a 3-0 win against Diambars FC, ensuring progress to the playoff round of the CAF Confederation Cup on a 4-0 aggregate.
Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Senegal seven days prior, Enyimba established superiority on a lively Sunday evening in Aba with Tosin Omoyele’s early goal before further strikes from Victor Mbaoma and Samuel Kalu sealed a glossy win for the Nigerian giants.
Four changes were made to the lineup, Chigozie Obasi, Nabil Yarou, Orok Gabriel and Tosin Omoyele getting the nod to start at the Enyimba Stadium.
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The hosts quickly got the fixture off the block as Tosin Omoyele scored after sixty seconds, slotting past the keeper after profiting from Victor Mbaoma’s industry and low pass.
Omoyele again came close when Fatai Abdullahi’s freekick fell in his path, but the forward could not steer it past the keeper this time.
The visitors settled in soon after and strang good patterns with wit and guile, but Enyimba maintained a good defensive shape to contain the explosive incursions from the delightful Bakary Mane on the right, and eventually doubled the lead after the half-hour when Mbaoma chested Adekunle Adeleke’s cross before hitting home a delightful goal on the half volley.
Orok, lively on the day, drew close with a curler from outside the box while Yarou saw his effort blocked before hitting the rebound over the top.
Daniel Ijeh was brought on in the second half to break Diambars play, a task that the midfielder delivered to near perfection on his debut with his excellent ball-winning ability.
Emeka Obioma was brought on for Omoyele, and the substitute turned a menace before setting up the third goal for another substitute, Samuel Kalu, to seal off a masterful performance from Finidi George’s charges.