One of Nigeria’s representatives in the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup, Elkanemi Warriors, have been booted out of the competition by Dadje FC after falling 2-1 to the Benin side in the second leg of their preliminary round tie played on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 2024 Federation Cup champions were held to a 1-1 draw at their adopted home ground in Ikenne in the first installment last weekend. They needed a similar result to take the game to penalties or even get something better to progress on aggregate, but they failed in their quest.
Following his late goal in the first leg in Ikenne, Samuel Gimba Ajiji was tasked to lead the line ahead of Barnabas Daniel in Benin as the only change enforced by head coach Aliyu Zubairu. Former Sporting Lagos winger started on the right wing, while Al-amin Umar continued on the left wing with former youth international Aminu Mohammed retaining his spot in midfield alongside skipper Zayyad Musa.
It was quite cagey between the two teams and the first real opportunity for the game’s opening goal did not come until the half-hour mark when Dadje were awarded a penalty. Bless Salassi converted from the resulting spot-kick to hand the Benin side the advantage on aggregate.
However, the hosts’ lead only lasted seven minutes as Naantuam opened his account for the Nigerian side with a well-taken finish to drag his side level in the near-empty Stade de l’Amitié Général Mathieu Kérékou in Cotonou.
After the beak with the game still locked at 1-1, the two coaches made different substitutions to effect a change on the scoreline but that did not happen until 10 minutes from time when Salassi completed his brace amid some atrocious defending from Elkanemi Warriors.
The home side held on to secure a 2-1 win on home turf and 3-2 on aggregate to book their place in the next round of the competition where they will be facing Moroccan giants RS Berkane for a place in the group stages.
As for Elkanemi Warriors, they will return to Nigeria to begin preparations for the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season opener against defending champions Rangers in Enugu next weekend.
