Gimba Ajiji couldn’t hold back his emotions against Dadjè FC.
The CAF Confederation Cup had one of its most emotional scenes in history on Saturday as El-Kanemi Warriors’ striker Gimba Ajiji broke down in tears as he scored for the Borno based outfit against Dadjè FC of Benin Republic.
In a pulsating CAF Confederation Cup clash, El-Kanemi Warriors fought tooth and nail to secure a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Benin Republic’s Dadjè FC. The match was a high-stakes battle that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Dadjè FC struck first, seizing the lead in the 29th minute with a swift counter-attack that capitalized on a missed opportunity by the Warriors’ attackers. Despite this early setback, El-Kanemi Warriors remained undeterred, relentlessly pushing forward in search of an equalizer.
The breakthrough for the home side finally came in the dying moments of the game. In the 95th minute, Gimba S. Ajiji, a late substitute, found the back of the net, rescuing a crucial draw for the Warriors. The goal sent waves of relief and joy through the team and their supporters.
Reacting to his match-saving goal, Gimba Ajiji expressed his overwhelming emotions. “I was overjoyed after scoring the goal to the extent that tears of joy started flowing from my eyes,” he said. “I believe in myself and what I can do. Even though I was subbed in late, I knew I would deliver. My coach called me before I went on and said he believed in me. He told me that even if I had only one minute to play, I could make the difference. That’s why I was so emotional when I scored—I didn’t let my coach down.”
When asked about the guidance he received from El-Kanemi Warriors’ head coach, Zubairu Aliyu, before entering the match, Gimba shared, “The coach only told me not to think about the little time I had left to play. He told me to go in and deliver for him, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Despite the lack of Grade A games leading up to this crucial encounter, the former Gombe United player dismissed it as an excuse for their performance. “I don’t think the lack of Grade A games affected us in the match,” he remarked. “The only thing that could have affected us was the long distance we had to travel by road from Maiduguri to Ikenne in Ogun State. We didn’t have enough time to rest.”
Looking ahead to the return fixture set for next week in Benin Republic, Gimba expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure victory on the road. “I’m very sure we will defeat Dadjè FC even in their backyard,” he stated. “With the caliber of players we have, we can qualify for the next round. The only thing we need to do is convert our chances. There’ll be no room for them to hide in their home—I’m confident we will beat them.”
Finally, Gimba took a moment to appreciate the fans who supported the team both in Maiduguri and those who traveled to cheer them on. “I want to thank our fans, those in Maiduguri and those who came to support us,” he said. “I pray that God will continue to be with them and bless them.”
