Enyimba became the first Nigerian club to win Africa's top club prize after brawling marred the second leg of the African Champions League final against Ismaili today.
The Egyptian side won the second leg 1-0 at their home ground in a tempestuous match, twice held up for clashes between the players, but Enyimba held on to win 2-1 on aggregate.
The club from the provincial town of Aba, near Port Harcourt, ended a 35-year drought for Nigeria in the competition and denied Egypt a hat-trick of Champions League titles after the successes of Cairo clubs Al Ahli in 2001 and Zamalek last year.
Ismaili, who made four changes after the first leg, were handed a 27th-minute penalty in controversial circumstances when Ugah Okpara challenged Mohamed Mohsen Abougreisha and looked to have taken the ball away before the Egyptian striker tumbled over his leg.
The decision was furiously disputed by the Nigerians, who held play up for several minutes before Hosni Abd Rabbou netted.
Abd Rabbou started the match after returning to his club on Tuesday after playing for Egypt's under-20 side at the world youth championships in the United Arab Emirates.
Eccentric goalkeeping from Enyimba's Vincent Enyeama, who played in the World Cup finals for Nigeria against England last year, kept Ismaili in with a chance of a second goal.
But a combination of solid defending and poor options by the attackers kept Ismaili at bay.
The match deteriorated in the final minutes with several punches and kicks from both sides, sparking off a brawl which stopped play for some six minutes. Referee Eddy Maillett from the Seychelles booked five players without resorting to a red card.
The first leg was played in Nigeria on November 30.