TotalCAFCC: Noble the hero as Enyimba oust Rivers United

Rivers State born goalkeeper John Noble Barinyima was the hero as Enyimba FC defeated his state club Rivers United 5-4 on penalties on Sunday to claim a spot in the group stage of the 2020/2021 Total CAF Confederation Cup (TotalCAFCC).

Having won the first leg 1-0 in Aba last Sunday, Noble and his Enyimba side lost Sunday’s game decided at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt to Fortune Omoniwari’s 43rd minute goal.

That set the tone for a penalty shootout and Enyimba’s Cyril Olisema missed his side’s first kick but Noble saved the day, keeping out defender Kunle Odunlami and striker Israel Emmanuel’s kicks.

Noble was signed from Togolese side ASC Kara before the start of this campaign as a third choice goalkeeper but has since grown to be a regular between the sticks in the past six to seven games for the People’s Elephant.

The 27-year old stepped up to convert the decisive spot kick for Fatai Osho’s side to ensure a consecutive appearance for Enyimba in the group stage of Africa’s second tier club competition, the Confederation Cup.

The victory is also being seen in some respect as the final resolution of the PPG/WPPG controversy that involved Enyimba and Rivers United at the end of last season.

Enyimba will now join fifteen other clubs across Africa in Monday’s draws for the group stage of this season’s Confederation Cup.