Trip down Memory lane: 5 times Enyimba triumphed on penalties in the Continent

Penalty shoot-outs often wear the garb of lady luck. A lottery of sorts that swings in favour or against on the day. However, teams or players with high success rate from the spot say it’s a mental game. New signing, Goalkeeper Nathaniel Asibe’s heroics in Enyimba FC’s latest penalty shoot-out victory last Sunday announced him to the fanbase and added another chapter to the club’s rich history of penalty shout-out conquests in CAF club football competitions in the last 20 years. His heroics, after a goalless draw, over two legs against Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso ensured Enyimba advanced to the group stage of the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup,

These are five other times Enyimba International showed mental strength to triumph on penalties in Africa.

1. 2020/21 CAF Confederation Cup playoff (2nd leg) at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
   RIVERS UNITED 1 – 0 ENYIMBA FC; 1-1 on aggregate.
   It was a local derby on the continental front and an opportunity to settle a lingering dispute that stemmed from an abrupt end to the previous domestic league season.The war of words between fans of both clubs and statements and subliminal messages from official quarters heightened the mood. But the direct switch of former Enyimba players and iconic figures – goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai and bulwark, Ifeanyi Anaemena from Aba to Port Harcourt deepened the rift ahead of the double-headed encounter. Identical 1-0 scorelines in both cities,with Rivers United’s Fortune Omoniwari’s strike in Port Harcourt cancelling Enyimba’s advantage through Cyril Olisema in Aba did set the stage for the tie to be decided on penalty shoot-out. Anaemena and Afelokhai stepped up to dispatch their kicks for United. However the night belonged to Enyimba as new goalkeeper John Noble saved and scored from the spot to emerge hero and send the Aba giants to the group stage.
2. 2016 CAF Champions League playoff (2nd leg) at Stade Olympique de Sousse.
   ETOILE DU SAHEL 3-0 ENYIMBA FC ; 3-3 on aggregate.
   This game took 2 hours off the lifespan of any dye-in-the-wool Enyimba fan who watched it. Mfon Udoh’s hattrick inspired Enyimba to a 3-0 first leg victory in Portharcourt.However,what seemed like a healthy advantage was squandered in 80 minutes of play in Sousse. The peoples elephant held on for the last 10 minutes to force the tie to be decided on penalty shoot-out. Drama further ensued when Udoh and Christian Pyagbara missed Enyimba’s first two spotkicks to give a 2-0 advantage to the Tunisians. However, goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai took charge of events, unlocking his inner super hero powers to make save after save, three times and one flying over the crossbar to restore parity and nick the ticket for the group stage.
3. 2010 CAF Confederation Cup,second round – (2nd leg) in Aba.
   ENYIMBA FC 3-0 VITA CLUB ; 3-3 on aggregate.
   Trailing 0-3 from the first leg in Congo, Enyimba had their work cut out. And got to it at the referee’s blast of the whistle to commence proceedings. The comeback was shy of a fourth goal to send the fans into frenzy. But the players stuck to the task of advancing to the next round,albeit via the nerve-racking and emotionally draining route of penalty shout-out in front of their home fans. Goalkeeper Chijioke Ejiogu, nicknamed Arugo monkey for his ball catching prowess and penalty- saving expertise, did his reputation no harm by keeping out two spotkicks in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory to help Enyimba progress to the playoff round.
4. 2004 CAF Champions League semi final – (2nd leg) at Stade El Menzah,Tunis.
   ESPERANCE 1-1 ENYIMBA FC ; 2-2 on aggregate.
   A last gasp Eric Fasindo strike salvaged a point for Enyimba in Aba ahead of the second leg in Tunis, where the packed and noisy El Menzah Stadium sent out jitters and did cast doubts on Enyimba emerging victorious from there. Esperance drew first blood just before halftime via Zitouni, but David Tyvakase’s 60th minute exquisite strike from distance levelled scores and reduced the decibel of noise at the stadium.With full-time looming,Coach Okey Emordi subbed on Dele Aiyenugba for no1 goalkeeper and Nigeria international ,Vincent Enyeama. Enyimba won a marathon shoot-out 6-5, with Aiyenugba repaying the trust of the coach with three world-class saves.
5. 2004 CAF Champions League final – (2nd leg) at the National Stadium, Abuja.
   ENYIMBA FC 2-1 ETOILE DU SAHEL ; 3-3 on aggregate.
   A day football fans in Nigeria held their breath in anticipation of another triumph in CAF’s premier club competition. A trophy that had eluded every Nigerian club for over 3 decades,was on the verge of remaining in the country for another year.The suspension of influential midfield playmaker -Onyekachi Okonkwo for the 2nd leg match in Abuja, after he was sent off in the hard-fought 2-1 loss in the first leg in Sousse did not dampen the mood. Striker Emeka Nwanna’s valuable away goal provided hope to finish the job in Abuja- a home away from the traditional and spiritual home of the elephants. Another 2-1 scoreline to share the spoils on aggregate prepared the stage for a dramatic finale.
   Enyimba showed good value in the penalty shootout with all five spotkick takers – Jerome Ezeoba,Musa Aliyu,Joetex Frimpong,Damian Udeh and captain Obinna Nwaneri returning flawless finishes. But the night cast the light again on substitute goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, who was called again from the bench before full-time.He came on and stopped Etoile’s third spotkick from the boot of Saber Ben Frej to help Enyimba retain the coveted trophy.

Highlighting the goalkeepers who became heros on account of their interventions in penalty shoot-out wins underlines without overstating the crucial role they play in the whole scheme.For posterity,when a roll call of goalkeepers who stood tall to be counted in penalty shoot-out situations over the last 20 years of Enyimba FC’s participations in Africa,Dele Aiyenugba would be named twice,then Chijioke Ejiogu,Theophilus Afelokhai,John Noble and the newest entrant – Nathaniel Asibe deserve to step forward and take a bow.

       Nnanna O. Kalu is a lifelong Enyimba fan and ardent follower of the NPFL. Follow him on X (Twitter) - @NnannaOKalu