JOHANNESBURG – Nigeria's Enyimba advanced to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of reigning South African champions Bidvest Wits following a goalless draw in Calabar.
Enyimba clinched the tie on the away goal rule having held Wits to a 1-1 stalemate about two weeks ago in Johannesburg.
It’s the third successive year that the Clever Boys fail to make it into the group stages of a continental tournament.
They had been relegated to the Confederation Cup play-offs after Primeiro de Agosto of Angola beat them on penalties in the game that decided which team who between the two sides would play in the Champions League group stages.
Wits drew first blood in the first leg through winger and veteran Daine Klate, but Ibrahim Mustapha equalised minutes later, giving the Nigerians a crucial away-goal, which has now subsequently proved to be enough to help them progress to the next stage.
Although Wits rested some of their regulars for this trip to Calabar, coach Gavin Hunt still managed to field quite a strong team, which spoke to the club’s depth.
But it was just not enough to see them beat Enyimba.
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The Star