CAF CONFED CUP : Dolphins Swim Past The Vegetarians In Port Harcourt

After a pulsating ninety minutes of football, Dolphins scored one goal, took the game to penalty shoot outs and won 5-3 to edge past Leones Vegetarianos FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.

 

Dolphins lost the 1st leg 1-0, and started the return leg the same way they did in Malabo by missing glaring chances.

 

As early as the 2nd minute Ifeanyi Egwim found space in the Vegetarianos area but his cross went way of mark and an overlapping Ayobami Asekunowo could not connect.

 

In the 16th minute it was the turn of Victor Alegbe to miss as some good passing moves by Dolphins completely split the Vegetarianos defence open but Alegbe who had just the post in front of him with goalkeeper Yannick out of the way blasted wide.

 

Fredor for the visitors had his chance to get a crucial away goal for his side in the 27th minute when they had a free kick after Jonathan Zikiye had fouled his man but his free header went wide after Sunday Rotimi had been beaten.

 

However, it was Emeka Atuloma who turned hero of the day a minute later as he curled a free kick from about 25 yards to put Dolphins 1-0 up and tie the game on aggregate.

 

On the hour mark, Stanley Eguma took off Ifeanyi Egwim for Omoh Johnson and then Isiaka Olawale replaced Chidiebere Okolie who had missed a chance just a minute before he was substituted.

 

Christian Pyagbara freed him and with just the goalkeeper facing him after beating the offside trap, he blasted wide.

 

With eight minutes left on the clock, Victor Alegbe shook off his marker and tried a shot that was spilled by the goalkeeper but Pyagbara failed to bury the rebound.

 

In the ensuing penalty shootouts, Tijani Adamu, Emeka Atuloma, Victor Ezuruike, Chigozie Ihunda and Christian Pyagbara all scored while Yumby Nicanor, Pendah and Esoto Ada scored for Leones but Sunday Rotimi saved Guy Yannace’s kick.

 

Start list
22. Sunday Rotimi, 6. Ayobami Asekunowo, 26. Jonathan Zikye, 8. Emeka Atuloma, 30. Victor Ezuruike, 5. Joseph Douhadji, 3. Chidiebere Okolie, 13. IFeanyi Egwim, 9. Christian Pyagbara, 20. Tijani Adamu, 10. Victor Alegbe

Subs
7. Isiaka Olawale replaced Chidiebere Okolie

24.  Omoh Johnson replaced Ifeanyi Egwim

14. Chigozie Ihunda replaced Victor Alegbe