THISDAYonline

On the turf of the magnificient Ismaili Stadium, Egypt, yesterday, Nigeria's Enyimba Football Club made history. The club, nicknamed People's Elephants, won the African Champions League for the first time in the history of club football in Nigeria. The club will also become richer by about One Million US Dollars (N125 million) which will be paid to the Nigerian team by the Confederation of African Football by virtue of their winning the trophy.

Besides, Enyimba will also represent Africa in the World Clubs Cup competition after playing in the CAF Super Cup to determine the true champions of African club football.

With three Nigerian club sides reaching advanced stages of African club championships this year, emphasis last week shifted solely to Enyimba after the painful loss of Julius Berger to Etoile Sahel of Tunisia in the final of the Winners Cup. Earlier, Rangers had lost in the semi-final of the CAF Cup to Al-Ahly of Egypt.

The first leg of the historic Champions League final in Aba, Nigeria had ended in a two nil victory in favour of the Nigerian representatives leaving little to cheer; and hoping for a final showdown in Egypt. North African teams had always denied Nigeria the chance of winning the Cup.

Yesterday's final was therefore one which every soccer loving Nigeria prayed for, having in mind that Ismailia is a high scoring side. During the group stage of the championship, the Egyptian side beat Enyimba 6-1 in Egypt, creating the fear of another defeat that will surpass the two nil first leg score. However, the Nigerian representatives lived up to the billing, holding on strongly to prevent any embarrassing score in the final match.

With the two goals advantage, Enyimba started the game on a high note with Ismailia on the rampage as well. Two corner kicks between the 5th and 11th minute brought out the best of Enyimba defence led by Obinna Nwaneri. Ismailia was operating strongly from the left through Draman Traore and Montasele Salem who were always threatening the Nigerian defence.

In the 16th miniute, Muri Ogunbiyi got the first yellow card of the game for a rough charge on an Ismailia midfielder. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama showed composure and confidence when in the 18th minute, he saved a free kick that seemed goal bound.

At the other end, Mike Ochei was tormenting the Egyptian defence while charges on Ekene Ezenwa resulted in a free kick for Enyimba, Ezenwa was at the receiving end, earning a yellow card for arguing with the referee.

Ismailia was awarded a controversial penalty in the 27th minute when Mohammed Mosen fell in the box. There was protest from the Nigerian side but the referee held on to his decision. The penalty was later converted by Hosni Abd Rabo.

Anxiety robbed Enyimba the needed composure and equaliser through the half.

The second half was filled with anxious moments and aggression as the Egyptians resorted to rough tackles in their bid to score the much needed second goal. The fans at the Ismailia Stadium did not help matters with several missiles thrown on the pitch.

With five minutes added time about to commence, more missiles found their ways unto the pitch and the referee had to stop the match for six minutes.

The final minutes saw Enyimba withstand all provocative charges against them and held onto the slim score line till the final second.

With the victory, Enyimba became the first Nigerian team to win the Champions League trophy and the only team to win any continental club glory in the recent times.

In 1984, the first Nigerian club to win a continental club trophy, IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan, now 3SC was beaten by Zamalek Football Club of Egypt both in Cairo and Lagos.

It was the turn of Iwuan-yanwu Nationale four years later. They defeated Entente Plasticiens Setif of Algeria by a lone goal in Ibadan only to lose 4-0 in the return leg.

Shooting Stars lost on penalties to Zamalek of Egypt in 1995, followed a 3-3 aggregate scoreline. Twenty years earlier, Rangers of Enugu had lost to Hafia of Guinea in the final.

Reacting to the historic victory, Chief Oscar Igbokwe, the President of Busdor Group said that he had always believed in the team and prayed fervently for their win which has now added Nigerians name to list of nations that has so far won the cup. Igbokwe said that the group of boys that won the cup yesterday in Ismailia were determined and knew what was at stake, hence the victory. BUSDOR which also runs an amateur football club in Port Harcourt undertook the renovation of the Aba town ship stadium where Enyimba played all her home matches during the competition.

Farid Abou Hassan, a strong supporter of Nigerian football, who called in last night from Ikeja, said that Nigeria has good players but the problem was that they have not harnessed the talents and "the administration of the league is another problem that has prevented us from excelling in the Champions league." He explained that with the victory of the Elephant boys Nigeria could organise themselves and plan their local league to attract quality players. "It is a pity that we are winning now but not too late anyway. Let the boys have a sense of belonging because they have really tried. Remember that Ismailia beat them 6 - 1 at that same stadium. We thank God we are holding our heads high and we pray for their safe coming home."