Odafe brace guides Churchill to victory

Star striker and captain Odafe Onyeka Okolie struck twice, once in each half, to guide I-League champion Churchill Brothers to a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal of Yemen in a crucial AFC Cup match in Sanaa, on Wednesday.

Odafe found the target in the 15th and 56th minute, while the Yemeni League champions scored their goal in the 37th minute at Ali Mohsin Muraisi Stadium.

Al Hilal, though, would be ruing a missed penalty kick by Brhano Qasem in the 10th minute of the match.

With this victory, Churchill now top Group B with four points from two matches, having drawn their opening match 2-2 at home against defending champions Kuwait Sports Club.

The Goan side now have a strong chance to qualify for the knockout round of 16 from their group.

After the costly miss from the spot by Al Hilal, Odafe gave his side the lead in the 15th minute before the home side restored parity in the 37th minute.

Odafe, who had scored a gaol against Kuwait Sports Club, found the back of Al Hilal net a few minutes before the hour mark which turned out to be the match winner.

Churchill play their next match at home against the same side on April 6.