Enyimba rose above Malian side Djoliba to record a 2-0 win on Sunday.
Second half goals from Isiaka Oladuntoye and Stanley Dimgba broke the visitors’ resolve and sealed the perfect start to the CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage.
Paul Aigbogun opted to hand only a second start of the season to Freedom Omofoman, in what was otherwise a familiar-looking starting 11. Ikouwem Utin also returned to the side, as Benjamin Francis continues to recover injury.
While the focus was undeniably on attack, there was little to set the pulse racing in the opening period. Omofoman came closest to opening the scoring, electing to shoot one-on-one from a narrow angle rather than pass.
The visitors however finished the first half stronger, firing off a couple of attempts without really working Fatau Dauda.
Enyimba however raced out of the blocks after the restart, and broke the deadlock just three minutes in. Oladuntoye was first to a teasing corner kick delivery, and fired a rasping effort which zipped past Djoliba ‘keeper Adama Keita.
With much of the tension drained out of the contest, the two-time African champions exerted more control on proceedings. That said, there were still some nerves until a blistering run by Omofoman decided the encounter for good.
The winger picked the ball up just inside the Djoliba half, and proceeded to zoom past a couple of markers, before being cut down inside the penalty box. From the resulting penalty, Dimgba fired high into the roof of the net to settle the tie.
Following the conclusion of Matchday 1, Enyimba are top of CAF Confederation Cup Group C on goal difference, ahead of Ivoirian side AC Williamsville.
