Oghenekaro Etebo scored inside the opening five minutes for Warri Wolves in their 2-0 first leg, first round Caf Confederation Cup win over Ethiopian club, Dedebit FC on Saturday.
The striker broke the offside trap against the fluid-playing Ethiopians in the fourth minute and finished calmly past Abu Suleiman to give the Nigerians the lead.
Dedebit were stunned and nearly conceded a second barely a minute later but Abu Azeez was too elaborate on the ball as the visitors cleared their lines.
Dedebit recovered admirably and almost equalised in the 13th minute through Nigerian-born Samuel Sanusi who unbelievably missed when faced with the Wolves’ goalkeeper, Okiemute Odah.
The hosts reacted swiftly and almost got their second goal a minute later but Omoforman Freedom was denied impressively by Suleiman before the rebound was cleared by Solomon Habite.
It was an incredibly open first half and the visitors came close again in the 23rd minute through Solomon Habite whose header was well smothered by Odah.
Both sides continued to trade chances as the contest ebbed and flowed but the visitors were left cursing their luck not to have scores as they enjoyed the more clear cut opportunities.
Osadiaye Joseph was having an eventful afternoon; wowing the fans with his tricks and flicks and punishing the opposition’s rearguard with incredible pace, vision and direct play.
Two minutes before the break, Abu Azeez found himself face to face with Suleiman after shrugging off his marker.
He however fluffed his lines at the vital moment with a lob which beat the goalkeeper but sailed well over the crossbar.
The players of both sides were always going to struggle to replicate the quick fire start of the first period and so it proved with a cagey opening.
Bereket Yisak had a chance to score in the 51st minute but wasted his chance when it seemed easier to score.
The chances continued to come in torrents and on 63 minutes, Joseph produced a shocking volley from outside the box when he was in acres of space.
Dedebit were asking questions too and on 65 minutes, Fikada missed a glorious opportunity.
The visitors were made to pay for their profligacy shortly before the end when Etebo was upended in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Substitute, Gbolahan Salami made no mistake from the spot to cap a handsome victory for the hosts.
Afterwards, Salami said he had no doubts he would score from the spot and predicted another win in the return leg.
“I knew I was going to score. It did not matter what the goalkeeper did.
“(Dedebit) are a good side but I know we will win in the second leg,” the striker told supersport.com.
Warri Wolves
Okiemute Odah, Onamado Goodluck, Eyimofe Joseph, Ichull Lordson, Osagie Monday, Omoforman Freedom (Gbolahan Salami 60’), Abu Azeez, Ibenegbu Ikechukwu (Gift Atulewa 83’), Oghenekaro Etebo, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Osadiaye Joseph.
Substitutes not used
Akpeyi Daniel, Oke Ogagotewho, Akpojuvwewo Bright, Egbeta Michael, Itoya Kelvin,.
Dedebit FC
Abu Suleiman, Tekalegu Dejene, Shuaibu Gabriel, Aschalew Tamene, Megnot Debebe, Hencock Essayas, Tadelle Mangesha, Solomon Habite, Birhamu Bogale (Bereket Yisak 23’), Samuel Salami, Dawet Fikadu (Musefiu Kidane 82’),
Substitutes not used
Tariku Getnet, Yared, Zjnabu, Sitimu Tejifaye.
