Title holders Enyimba of Nigeria scored a late goal to pip Petro Atletico 2-1 in Angola and snatch a place in the group phase of the African Champions League on Sunday.
Diminutive David Tyakase struck the crucial goal with four minutes left at the Citadela Stadium after Avelino Lopes cancelled the lead Emeka Nwanna gave the visitors, who led 1-0 at half-time.
The second-round tie was a personal triumph for Nwanna, who scored a last-minute goal to earn the People’s Elephant a 1-1 first-leg draw in the south-east town of Aba two weeks ago.
Nwanna came on as a substitute in the final last December against Ismailia in Egypt, but Tyakase was absent after featuring prominently in earlier rounds of the premier African club competition.
Success was sweet for Enyimba, who must hope the tide has turned after a series of problems on and off the field threatened to engulf the only Nigerian club to become African champions.
There was media speculation that Australian coach Milorad Urukalo would be sacked if his team lost to Petro and poor domestic league form has left the defending champions 13 points adrift of halfway leaders Dolphin FC.
Ismailia allege Enyimba used an ineligible midfielder, Ahmed ”Yaro Yaro” Garba, in the decider and the result of a probe is expected to be revealed soon with the possibility that the Nigerians could be stripped of the title.
It was a day when the big names hit back after the shock elimination of former champions Orlando Pirates of South Africa on Saturday by Bakili Bullets, the first Malawian club to reach the last eight.
But there was no shortage of anxious moments with Africa Sports of Côte d’Ivoire and 2003 semifinalists Usma of Algeria needing penalty shootouts to squeeze into the lucrative mini-league stage.
Louis Koutouan scored after 78 minutes to give Africa Sports a 1-0 victory over giantkillers APR, the Rwandan army club, and the Abidjan Eagles proved more accurate from the spot to win 3-1 on penalties.
Usma took a two-goal lead over former champions Asante Kotoko of Ghana to the central city of Kumasi only to fall behind within five minutes when Nana Arhin Duah scored and Yusif Chibsah added a second with 81 minutes gone.
Home advantage is often a key factor in shootouts, but not for the legendary ”Porcupine Warriors” as they hit the target just once while the Algerians converted four penalties.
Jeanne d’Arc of Senegal, shock first-round conquerors of Raja Casablanca of Morocco, ousted another former champion despite losing 2-1 to Canon Yaounde in Cameroon. The Dakar club took a two-goal advantage into the return match.
Canon could ill afford to concede a goal at home and when Ndoye Ndiaye put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute, the three-time champions of Africa had little hope of survival.
And so it proved although goals from Elvis Moukake in the first half and Samuel Inobe restored some pride for a club that produced many Cameroon greats such as Thomas ”Black Spider” N’Kono and Theophile ”Doctor” Abega.
Esperance of Tunisia completed a black day for Cameroon by comfortably disposing of Cotonsport Garoua, who won 1-0 in the north-west town but never seriously threatened to wipe out a 3-0 first-leg deficit.
Goalkeeper Mathurin Kameni converted a 41st-minute penalty against the Tunisian Blood and Gold, who are once more the team to beat as they attempt to bridge a 10-year gap and collect the trophy a second time.
Debutants Supersport United of South Africa stretched their unbeaten record to six matches by holding Al-Hilal of Sudan 0-0 in Omdurman and qualifying 2-0 on aggregate.
The eight survivors will be split into two groups at a June 8 draw in Cairo with each club playing its three rivals at home and away. Pool winners and runners-up progress to the semifinals of the $3,5-million competition. — Sapa-AFP