All four Nigerian clubs playing in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup won over the weekend to move into the next stage of the their competitions.
In Port Harcourt it took Dolphins 27 minutes to cancel the 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Leones Vegetarianos when Emeka Atuloma curled home a free kick beyond the reach of the Vegetarianos goalkeeper, Yannick.
Profligacy was the order of the day for Dolphins as their attackers took turns in missing goals they should have scored.
As early as the 2nd minute Ifeanyi Egwim found space in the Vegetarianos area but his cross went way of mark and an overlapping Ayobami Asekunowo could not connect.
In the 16th minute it was the turn of Victor Alegbe to miss as some good passing moves by Dolphins completely split the Vegetarianos defence open but Alegbe who had just the post in front of him with goalkeeper Yannick out of the way blasted wide.
Fredor for the visitors had his chance to get a crucial away goal for his side in the 27th minute when they had a free kick after Jonathan Zikiye had fouled his man but his free header went wide after Sunday Rotimi had been beaten.
On the hour mark, Stanley Eguma took off Ifeanyi Egwim for Omoh Johnson and then Isiaka Olawale replaced Chidiebere Okolie who had missed a chance just a minute before he was substituted.
Christian Pyagbara freed him and with just the goalkeeper facing him after beating the offside trap, he blasted wide.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Victor Alegbe shook off his marker and tried a shot that was spilled by the goalkeeper but Pyagbara failed to bury the rebound.
In the ensuing penalty shootouts, Tijani Adamu, Emeka Atuloma, Victor Ezuruike, Chigozie Ihunda and Christian Pyagbara all scored while Yumby Nicanor, Pendah and Esoto Ada scored for Leones but Sunday Rotimi saved Guy Yannace’s kick.
Abalogu does it for Enyimba
In Cotonou on Sunday, Enyimba won 1-0 against Buffles Du Borgu in the CAF Champions League to qualify 4-0 on aggregate.
After a goaless first half, Andrew Abalogu scored the only goal of the game in the 61stminute after stealing in from behind the home side’s defence to score.
Abalogu had come in for Ezekiel Bassey just before half time.
Pillars continue fine form
The other Nigerian club playing in the CAF Champions League, Kano Pillars also sailed smoothly into the 1st round.
Pillars beat Malakia of South Sudan 3-0 in Kano on Saturday and 5-0 on aggregate to go through.
Gambo Mohammed opened scores for the Nigerian League champions in the 37thminute and then Mbah Ezekiel made it two with a glancing header just two minutes to full time from an Adamu Hassan’s cross.
Gambo Mohammed still had time to get his brace in added time to make it 3-0 for the homers.
Warri Wolves thrash RCB
Third placed side in the league last season, Warri Wolves also advanced to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup Competition after a 3-0 win over Racing Club Bobodialaso on Saturday.
It was Oghenekaro Etebo who got the goal in the 30th minute of the game.
In the 70th minute, Freedom Omofoman made it 2-0 to give the home side a 3-0 aggregate win.
Dolphins will play against Club Africain in the 1st round with a game in Tunis on the weekend of March 13- 15; Warri Wolves will be up against Dedebit of Ethiopia while Enyimba have a tie against Smouha of Egypt and Kano Pillars have Maghreb Tetoun of Morocco to contend with.