JOHANNESBURG, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Nigeria's Enyimba could
become only the second side in African football to retain the
Champions League title when they face Tunisia's Etoile Sahel on
Sunday.
A 1-0 win for Enyimba in the second leg of the final in
Abuja would be enough for the Nigerian club to claim the
continent's top club prize on the away goals rule.
Should they triumph, Enyimba would become the first side
since TP Mazembe Englebert, who hailed from the former
Congo-Kinshasa, in 1968 to defend their title.
Enyimba have already set a trend for breaking down
long-standing barriers. Last year they became the first Nigerian
team to win the competition in more than three decades of
participation.
But they will need to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first
leg of the final, played in Sousse last Saturday, to set a new
benchmark.
The first leg, in which Etoile Sahel came back to win after
conceding an early goal, was clouded in controversy after poor
refereeing decisions. It included a generous penalty for the
hosts and the sending off of a player from either side.
The loss of defender Lotfi Sellemi, who is suspended for
Sunday's encounter, could hamper Etoile Sahel's effort.
Enyimba's left-sided midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo is also
banned from playing in the match after he picked up two yellow
cards in the first 30 minutes of the first leg.
While the Tunisians will be expected to employ defensive
tactics, Enyimba will be aiming to overwhelm their opponents
with their powerful running and brute strength.
Sunday's match is the fifth meeting between the two clubs
this year.
Etoile Sahel, playing in their first Champions League final,
were winners of the African Cup Winners' Cup last year.
Enyimba were ordered by the Confederation of African
Football (CAF) to move the second leg away from their small home
ground at Aba, in the east of Nigeria, to a bigger venue with
better facilities.
