CAFCL: Plateau United lose to Esperance due to controversial penalty
Plateau United FC
By Our Sports Desk
Plateau United put up a brave fight but were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by their hosts Esperance of Tunisia, on Saturday night.
Esperance won the first round, second leg encounter 1-0 at the Stade de Olympique, Rades.
The home team were awarded a controversial penalty in the 83rd minutes by the Egyptian centre referee,Ibrahim Nour El Din.
The incident occurred outside the box, but the referee pointed to the spot in which Ben Romdhane beat Plateau United’s goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso to send the home supporters into wild jubilation.
Ayeleso was in superb form as he made several superb saves in the game.
The two legs match ended in a 2-2 draw, but Esperance progressed on the away-goal rule.
Recall that the Jos based side won the 1st leg encounter by 2goals to 1 at their adopted home ground at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja owing to the failure of the Plateau State Government to complete the Zaria Road Stadium in Jos.
Plateau United have now dropped to the second tier, CAF Confederation Cup, following their elimination.
EAGLE EYE NEWS24 reports that in 2020 the Tin City Boys was eliminated in the early round by Simba of Tanzania after a goalless draw in Dar-Es-Salaam after losing 1-0 in the first leg in Jos courtesy of a 53rd minute goal by Clatous Chama.
Meanwhile Nigeria’s other representative in the competition Rivers United will confront defending champions Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco on Sunday.
