Martins Usule came off the bench to score a vital winner as Enyimba recovered from a sloppy first half display to beat San Pedro FC 1-0 in the CAF Confederation Cup at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Usman Abd’Allah’s men were clearly second best in the opening half but produced a much improved performance in the second period, with the match winning strike arriving shortly after the hour mark.
The visitors kicked off brightly and appeared to have taken the lead when Roland Zanbi found the net in the third minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
San Pedro continued to trouble the hosts with Cheick Soumaro failing to tap in a measured cross from the right before Kouame Kramo shot wide after cutting through two defenders.
Enyimba had a chance of their own towards the end of the half when Victor Mbaoma fell only inches short of tapping home Reuben Bala’s cross.
Abd’Allah rang two changes minutes into the restart, throwing in debutante Anayo Iwuala and Usule for Stanley Dimgba and Samson Obi, before the gaffer was eventually forced into a third change moments later as Abiodun Adebayo replaced the injured Ifeanyi Anaemena.
Iwuala’s introduction proved vital as the petit winger caused several threats with dashing runs down the right before he played a role in the game’s only goal.
The forward was fouled thirty yards out, and Usule lashed onto a poor clearance from the freekick to send a low shot into the bottom right for his third goal of the competition.
Usule came close to a second three minutes later, but failed to make the perfect contact to Iwuala’s delivery.
The win has shot Enyimba to second in group D with three points, three shy of leaders Hassania Agadir who have enjoyed a perfect start with two wins.
