The hosts went in front in the 19th minute when returnee midfielder Austin Oladapo’s 25 yard effort sailed home in front of over 10,000 spectators at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

The visitors gave the former African champions a good run for their money but had to wait till the second half before they quite deservedly got an equaliser.

Substitute Boniface Haba headed home a right wing cross from Boubacar Samassekou beyond goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai in the 70th minute to even the scores.

Former Rivers United forward Bolaji Sakin was a thorn in the flesh of the People’s Elephant throughout the entirety of the game.

The second leg of the quarterfinal clash comes up in Conakry next Sunday with the winners most likely to face Egyptian side Pyramids who already have a 3-0 advantage from their first leg against Zanaco in Zambia.