[attach id=245484 size="medium"]Ndubisi Chukunyere produced a five-star performance in Hibs’ Champions League 1-0 win against Shelbourne in 2002.[/attach]
Wednesday, July 24, 2002 went down in the record books as the biggest night in the history of Hibernians.
Playing against Irish side Shelbourne, the then Malta champions not only registered their first away victory in a European competition but also progressed to the second round of the Champions League.
The dramatic manner in which the Paolites gained victory at Tolka Park will be forever cherished by the Hibs supporters who watched the game as Ndubisi Chukunyere grabbed a last-gasp winner to earn his team a famous 1-0 win.
Having come away with a 2-2 draw from the first leg in Malta, Shelbourne were much fancied to reach the second round.
However, Hibs were determined to put up a stirring fight and, inspired by the artistry of Chukunyere, the goalkeeping skills of Mario Muscat and above all the determination of every member in the squad, the Paolites made it a night to remember.
After missing a number of clearcut chances, the team from Dublin seemed happy to play out for a draw, which would have meant qualification for the next round on the away goals rule.
But they were brought back to earth in the first minute of added time. Substitute Antoine Zahra burst down the right wing and produced a perfect ball for Chukunyere to slot home from eight yards, completing a miserable night for the Dubliners and sending the Maltese to seventh heaven.
The next day’s Irish newspapers said it all. ‘Shell’s pocket picked’, ran the headline in The Star, and ‘Night of misery for Shelbourne’ said the Evening Herald.
This unexpected achievement by Hibs fired the imagination of the Maltese sporting public.
Hibs suddenly became the talk of the town as their win in Ireland brought back memories of their classic performances of yesteryear against Manchester United and Real Madrid. Thus, when they played Boavista in Portugal, many sat in front of their television sets to watch the match.
Hibs lost 4-0 to the Portuguese champions but the final result did not reflect the run of play. True, Boavista were always in command but they were helped in no small way by some controversial refereeing decisions. They were given a dubious penalty in the first half and then, to add insult to injury, the referee denied Hibs a penalty on Roderick Baldacchino late in the second half.
There was more glory awaiting Hibs in the return match at Ta’ Qali. Trailing by three goals to one at the end of the first half, the Maltese champions looked to be on their way to another heavy defeat.
Jocivolta gave Boavista the lead with a fine goal but Hibs hit back swiftly to even the score after 32 minutes.
Adrian Mifsud pounced on a hasty clearance by the Boavista defenders and drove the ball goalwards. His strike hit the base of the far post before squirming into the net.
The Paolites’ joy was short-lived. Minutes from half-time Luiz Claudio put Boavista ahead and, two minutes later, Cesar Turra profited from Hibs’ loose marking to head home the third goal.
However, Hibs were not down yet. Seven minutes into the second half, Chukunyere revived their spirits with a well-taken goal.
Two minutes later, Avalos raised his arm to divert the ball away from Chukunyere and the referee justly awarded Hibs a penalty. Mifsud kept his cool to rifle the ball past Ricardo.
The final whistle was greeted with indescribable scenes of joy among the Hibs players. This memorable performance by Hibernians was a fitting farewell for skipper Silvio Vella who played his last game before hanging up his boots.