The Angolan’s goal settled the tie in Ahli’s favor after the first-leg ended in a goalless draw in Aba.

Ahli, who are seeking to win an unprecedented sixth Champions League title, face Coton Sport in the final after the Cameroonian club thrashed Zimbabwe’s Dynamos 4-0 earlier in the day.

Enyimba's defensive strategy helped Ahli gain complete dominance over the first half.

The people’s Elephant did not even try to launch counter attacks, leaving Ahli’s backline in a relaxed mood.

Manuel Jose deployed a lone striker in Flavio, supported by playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika and versatile midfielder Mohamed Barakat.

Ahli, who pushed forward from the very beginning to score an early goal, had a goal incorrectly disallowed after 14 minutes.

Barakat latched onto Abou-Treika’s deft through pass and went clear on goal before slotting past the advancing keeper, but the linesman raised his flag.

Television replays showed that Barakat was played onside by an Enyimba defender.

The lively Flavio had a decent effort to break the deadlock midway through the first half.

He side-stepped a challenger before curling a left-footed shot that went over the crossbar.

The former Petro Atletico man made amends in the 26th minute when he rose unmarked at the near post to head home Gilberto’s inswinging corner.

Defender Ahmed Al-Sayed almost doubled Ahli’s advantage eight minutes later after being fed by Barakat’s low cross but he mis-hit his shot with the goal gaping.

Dull Half

Ahli were apparently content with their slender lead. They did not exert much effort to extend the gap in a dull second half.

It was Enyimba who twice came close to stunning the 74,000 spectators.

In the 57th minute, Ahli target Stephen Worgu threatened Amir Abdul-Hamid with a free header but his effort missed the target.

The 19-year-old had another glorious opportunity 13 minutes later when he capitalized on a defensive mix-up to fire a low shot from inside the area that went just wide of the post.

Ahli held onto their lead to claim a precious win that put them on course to win their third Champions League title in four years.

Watch Ahli's goal