It wasn’t all plain sailing for Nigerians in the world’s most glamourous club competition though as Emmanuel Ekpo and Daniel Chima failed to help Molde advance to the playoffs despite a heroic effort in Austria at Legia Warsaw.
Elfsborg 0-0 (0-1 aggregate) Celtic (Boras Arena)
Efe Ambrose was on for Celtic throughout this tense encounter and did not do much wrong as Celtic held out for a gutsy draw at a packed Boras Arena.
The Nigerian twice saved his side with timely interventions that could have left the Hoops pondering what might have been.
On 50 minutes, Elfsborg’s Marcus Rohden had a clean sight of goal but his effort was blocked by Ambrose with the Celtic keeper, Fraser Forster transfixed.
Three minutes later, the Nigerian was at it again with a huge clearance that settled frayed Scottish nerves.
His teammate, Scott Brown fouled Stefan Ishizaki and a free kick was awarded. The well-delivered set piece caused panic in the Celtic box but Ambrose was on hand to snuff out the danger yet again with a thumping clearance.
Legia Warsaw 0-0 (1-1 aggregate) Molde (Pepsi Arena)
Austrian club, Legia Warsaw progressed to the playoffs on the away goals rule at the expense of Norwegian outfit, Molde; a side with two Nigerians, Emmanuel Ekpo and Daniel Chima on her books.
Chima, who scored Molde’s solitary goal in the first leg on July 31 battled in vain on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Arena but Warsaw stood their ground and progressed by the skin of their teeth.
Chima’s compatriot, Ekpo will feel largely culpable for Molde’s early elimination as he received a red card in the 79th minute with his side on the ascendancy.
It was his second booking of the night and third in the tie following the caution he received in the first leg last week.
No comments:
Post a Comment