Berger bow out

The Nigerians trailing, 2-3 after the first leg, failed to score at the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola stadium in Abeokuta to go out via a 3-2 goal aggregate.

A single goal was all the Adewale Bridge boys needed to sail through to the next round of the competition but squandered countless opportunities to bury their little known opponents.

Endurance Idahor was the worst culprit of the day-missing three great sitters in either half of the game.

His performance on the day overshadowed his new found form for both Julius Berger and the national U-23 team.

Questionable officiating
Julius Berger thought they had found the goal they needed in the 36th minute when Uche Sherif converted a free kick, but to the surprise of all, Referee  Mohammed Saed of Egypt ruled offside instead.

Jinxed
The second half was less colourful as ASFA drew all their ammunition to the back to defend the first leg lead.

Berger could only rued four scoring opportunities in the second half from Amaechi Nwanze, Sherif and Idahor, with the net at their mercy.

Referee and Ill-luck
After the encounter, Berger’s Coach, Fatai Amao was stunned and remained speechless.
Club chairman, Adewale Kuti says Berger only lost out due to ill-luck.

“We did all we could but the goal just refuse to come, I think luck deserted us today” he said

National U-23 coach, Kadiri Ikhana also stressed that Julius Berger were unlucky to go out of the competition without making the group stage.

“I’ve never seen a game like this; I think it is a shock for Berger to lose out today but luck sometimes plays a major role in football and I think that was what they lacked today”

Domestic football
Apparently, attention of the Adewale Bridge boys will now shift to the Globacom premier league where they have four games at hand.

“It is sad we lost out but life goes on and we now look forward to the league so that we can make a return to this same competition next season” Amaechi Nwanze said.

Enyimba all alone
With the ouster of the team, defending champion, Enyimba football club will carry the country’s flag in the competition.

Enyimba won the trophy in 2003 breaking a 38-year duck in the process.

Additional reports by Adewole Opatola in Abeokuta.