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Reigning
Gabonese league champions, L’Union Sportive de Bitam (USB), have lodged
a complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against
Enyimba claiming that USB officials were assaulted by fans of the
Nigerian club in their last meeting in Aba.

USB and Enyimba
clashed penultimate Sunday in the eastern Nigerian city of Aba in the
return leg fixture of their CAF Champions League tie with Enyimba
winning 2-1 to send the Gabonese side out of the competition.

The Gabonese side
led until midway through the second half when Victor Barnabas drew
Enyimba back on level terms from the penalty spot before a last-gasp
header from Josiah Maduabuchi secured the win for the two-time African
champions.

USB however claim
that their officials were assaulted by Enyimba fans during the match at
the Enyimba International Stadium and have lodged a complaint with the
governing body of African football.

In a statement
published by Gabon Info, the management of the Gabonese side said its
technical staff and other members of their contingent to Aba suffered
an “ordeal” at the hands of Enyimba fans who they claim used head
butts, kicks and whips on them while the game played out on the pitch.

The statement also
claimed that a cameraman with Gabon’s state TV RTG, who was filming the
match, was attacked by fans of the Nigerian club and his camera stolen.

The statement
further added that players of the Gabonese side were unable to get back
to their changing room during the half-time break because of the threat
from the fans and as a result had to remain on the pitch during the
break.

Denial

Officials of
Enyimba have however denied USB’s allegations, claiming that no acts of
violence were perpetrated by its fans against the visitors.

“The fans did no
such thing; they were at their best behaviour and stood by us
throughout the game even when we were a goal down,” said Enyimba’s
chairman, Anyansi Agwu in an interview with NEXT.

He added that “the fans did not attack anyone. I think they (USB)
are just making up excuses.” No date has yet been fixed for a final
decision by CAF, which is carrying out investigations. Meanwhile,
Enyimba are scheduled to play host to Libya’s Al-Ittihad in the next
round of the competition on April 24.