An 85th minute goal by Bola Bello ensured Nigeria's Dolphins a 1-0 win over Morocco's FAR in Sunday's opening leg of the Confederation Cup final Bello, who came on as a substitute for regular striker Kelechi Osunwa in the 80th minute, scored from close range at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt. The slim win was a reflection of FAR's defensive discipline, which gave their Nigerian hosts few scoring opportunities. FAR goalkeeper Jermouni Tarik was also in excellent form throughout the game, stopping a 15th minute strike from Endurance Idahor that could have given Dolphins an early lead. Idahor and Osunwa made incessant raids into FAR's penalty area but Tarik's string of saves left Dolphins coach Musa Abdullahi and the 12,000 fans in a panic, until Bello hit the winner. Lurking around the penalty area, Bello took advantage of a poor clearance from FAR captain Hassan Hussein to hit a powerful left footer that went beyond Tarik's reach. But Tarik ensured that FAR return to Rabat with a respectable loss when he stopped a 90th minute strike from Idahor that would have guaranteed a bigger win for the Nigerians. "The second leg will be tough for us but we will deliver," Dolphins coach Musa Abdullahi said. "FAR played a defensive game and we did not raise our game to take advantage of it." Not surprisingly, FAR coach Muhammed Fakhar was pleased with the result. "We had a [defensive] game plan and stuck to it. "Dolphins many have won today's game but this result is a little success for us. "We will surely win the title at home," Fakhar said. The return leg of the final will be played in two weeks time, with $400,000 going to the winners. Ghana's Hearts of Oak won the inaugural edition of the Confederation Cup, beating rivals Asante Kotoko in the final. As the only teams to finish the group stages of the Confederation Cup undefeated, it was only fitting that Dolphins and FAR faced each other in the final. But in contrast to FAR, a team with years of experience in continental competitions, Dolphins' appearance in the final has been a surprise to the African football community. Doing the Nigerian league and Cup double last year, the team crashed out in the final round of qualifiers for this year's Champions League group stages. But they quickly overcame the disappointment of missing out on the riches of Africa's top club competition to begin an amazing run in the second-string tournament. Topping Group B, they earned an appearance in the final at the expense of Egyptian clubs Arab Contractors, the three-time African Cup Winners' Cup champions and Ismaili, 2003 Champions League finalists. "At the beginning of the competition we were hopeful for a good outing but we didn't think we'd reach the final," Abdullahi admitted. "But we are leaving no stone unturned to win the trophy this year. "Any team that has reached the final has the pedigree to win the trophy." However, the Dolphins coach is aware that they will have to raise their game against FAR on home soil in Port Harcourt on Sunday. Although FAR could be said to have had an easier passage to the final, taking on less fancied teams such as Ghana's King Faisal, Guinea's Fello Star Labe and Tunisia's AS Marsa in Group A, Abdullahi will not be taking them for granted. "FAR is a military side, so they're highly regimented and disciplined, as well as being skilful. We will not be underrating them." With the Confederation Cup in only its second year, Abdullahi hopes his side will become the first Nigerian side to lift the trophy. "It is one of those things that has really given us the push. We really fancy sipping from that trophy." But they would have to overcome FAR first.
