Enyimba beats Hearts in CAF/MTN League

Obuasi, July 17, GNA - Enyimba Club of Nigeria began this year's CAF/MTN Champions League on a good note when they chalked a 2-0 away win over Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting club in their Group B match at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The win which seems to have rekindled Enyimba's hopes of winning the trophy for the third time after annexing it in 2003 and 2004, left their few supporters at the stadium in a wild jubilation. The Nigerians' who were not perturbed by the massive home support of the Phobians, opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Ekene Emigo rose above the Hearts' defence to connect home a Foster Amadi's corner-kick.

The goal boosted the confidence of the Enyimba players as their attack which revolved around David Tyaukase, Amadi and Chidozie surged forward to increase their goal tally but were kept at bay by the Hearts defence pivoted around Amankwaa Mireku, Daniel Coleman, Kwabena Boafo and Dan Quaye.

In one of their surging runs in the 35th minute, striker Amadi delivered an incisive pass to Mutiu Adegoku who sneaked through Hearts defence before unleashing a powerful shot but missed target narrowly. Having sensed danger, the Phobians marshalled forces in defence and adopted inter-positional passes but this strategy did little to change their fortunes in the first half.

Enyimba's Baleria Abubakar attracted Cameroonian referee, Evehe Aivine's yellow card for rough play on Hearts Eric Gawu in the 40th minute, whilst Bernard Dong-Bortey was pulled off and replaced by Francis Bossman in the 42nd minute to strengthen Hearts' defence. Despite the seemingly solid defence of Enyimba, Hearts on resumption of the second half, attacked in droves with the view to snatching an equaliser but Reuben Senyo, Eric Gawu and Moses Andoh who replaced Stanley Afedzi all missed some glorious chances. In the 73rd minute, Hearts were awarded a penalty after Enyimba's Sam Edor whacked down Anthony Annan but Dan Quaye's second kick was saved by goal-keeper Dele Hiyenu.

Gingered by the save the Enyimba lads carried the game to their opponents and it came as no surprise when they scored the second goal in the 82nd minute through an own goal by Hearts' Kwabena Boafo.