Enyimba will take a one-goal advantage into their Caf Champions League first round second-leg tie at Egyptian club, Smouha after a tightly contested reverse in Aba on Sunday.
Raphael Boumsong’s superb 56th-minute header was all that separated both side at the crowded Enyimba International Stadium ahead of next month’s return leg in Alexandria.
The two-time champions were on the front foot for a large part of the match, but lacked clinical touches in the attacking-third.
Kingsley Sokari twice watched his shot end at the mercy of goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi early on before Daniel Etor’s left-footed effort crashed off the crossbar on 20 minutes.
Coach Kadiri Ikhana brought on Chinonso Okonkwo and Boumsong on the restart and the latter Cameroonian export needed not longer than nine minutes on the pitch to consolidate for the Peoples Elephants’ long struggle.
Koudao Hermann had the ball inside the home team’s net after beating skipper Chinedu Udoji to head past goalkeeper Chijioke Ejiogu, but the referee disallowed the goal for offside.
Idris Aloma latched on to a Chima Uluocha pass but his one-time volley splashed the side netting, leaving Enyimba to settle for a lone-goal cushion.
The return leg is billed for the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt in the weekend of April 3,4,5.
