Wydad edge out Enyimba to rematch Esperance in CL final

Wydad seek the 2nd Champions League title in their history Wydad Casablanca of  Morocco has qualified for the finals of Orange CAF Champions League, holding Enyimba to a goalless draw in a second leg semi – final match played in Aba ,Nigeria. Enyimba had been  predicted to turn round a one goal disadvantage on their home soil.
Enyimba entered the game with strong confidence but failed to show flashes of a determined side in all forty five minutes of the first half. Wydad in apparent disregard of the intimidating capacity crowd Enyimba stadium attacked from all fronts. Wydad’s Skouma Ayoub came close to drawing the first blood in the 12th minute when his thunderous shot hit the bar after catching Enyimba’s goalkeeper Paul Godwin napping.
It was a feast of wasted chances and less purposeful play as the trio of Maduabuchi Josiah, Uche Kalu and Peter Onoja failed to find their rhythm in a first half that stamped the superiority of Wydad, the 1992 Champions of this competition.
Pin drop silence and shock were responses from the crowd as Ajeddou Ahmed, supported by Ayoub and Yassine Lakhal tested the agility of Enyimba’s goalkeeper. The few times Enyimba strike force advanced at goal could not give the People’s Elephant the much needed reprieve, as excellent performance from Laymaghri Nadir; El Masane Mourad and Rabeh Youssef frustrated their efforts. The first half ended in obvious frustration, as both sides could not find the net. But for the sharp reflex of Enyimba’s goalkeeper, the first half would have been worse for Enyimba.
The second half witnessed anxious moments. Enyimba returned with improved zeal and doubled their efforts. They were able to increase their work rate, taking the game to the visitors  but were faced with stiff resistance from Wydad.  even the support and cheering from the home crowd could deter the Moroccans  who exhibited stronger character and better disposition.
Enyimba was awakened to full consciousness in the dying minutes of the game with overlapping defender Valentine Nwabili wasting what would have been the much sought after goal in the 77th minute. The other attempts were hardly fruitful given the superb performance of Nadir, whose fantastic saves ensured that the 2003 and 2004 Champions could not go beyond the semi – final stage of Africa’s biggest club competition.
Wydad are through to the finals and will after nineteen years be locked in a battle of champions with North African neighbors Espearance of Tunisia who had earlier discharged Al – Hilal of Sudan on a 3-0 aggregate.