Warri Wolves held by Bizertin

Warri Wolves completed a miserable week for Nigerian teams in the CAF Confederation Cup by drawing 0-0 at home, a day after the other Nigeria team Bayelsa United lost 2-1 away to How Mine FC of Zimbabwe.

 

The game started with the home team racing out of the blocks as early as the fourth minute of play, when Musa Najere forced his way through the CA Bizertin backline with a surging run but unfortunately his last touch failed him as he ran the ball out of play for a goal kick.

 

In the sixth minute Joshua Obaje unleashed a fierce drive which was deflected out for a corner kick that Warri Wolves fail to capitalise on.

 

Warri Wolves dominated play with the visitors sitting deep, but they fail to make their possession count until the 23rd minute when a whipped in Joshua Obaje cross was powerfully met by Musa Najere but goalkeeper Ben Mustapha defied logic to produce a spectacular save to stop Musa's header from the top corner.

 

Ben Mustapha continued with his superb showing in goal, keeping out the Nigerians with smart stops and tip overs and he was pivotal in the game's first 45 minute ending 0-0.

 

The second half continued in same fashion like the way the first half ended, Warri Wolves dominating possession,forcing the visitors back-line to make interceptions and block after block, Efe Yarheye and Joshua Obaje wasted two good chances in the space of two minute forcing Coach Paul Aigboun to replace the Ex-Black Leopards man with Egbeta Michael in the 55th minute.

 

Egbeta's first contribution was to supply a through ball to Yarheye whose first touch let him down minutes before Mbengue got CA Bizertin first threat of the game with a rasping drive well gathered by Goal kepper Okiemute Odah in goal for Warri Wolves.

 

With visiting CA Bizertin much a better side, tactically, compared to the home team Wolves, central defender Ike Thankgod, totally against the run of play saw a brilliant near post header spectacularly saved once again by Ben Mustapha Farouk in goal for the Tunisians.

 

Despite four minutes of time added on and Warri Wolves throwing almost every man and kicking all balls forward, the Tunisians hang on to claim a 0-0 scoreline that keeps them in good position of progressing ahead of the second leg in a week's time.