CAF Confederation Cup
DESPERATE ENYIMBA NOW HOST ORLANDO PIRATE IN ABA
Enyimba players have Herculean task on Wednesday as they face a zero option in their final Group A tie with Orlando Pirates of South Africa.
Anything short of an outright win will condemn the two-time African champions to elimination from the continent’s second-tier competition after their earlier slide from the premier championship, the Champions League.
Even a win against Orlando Pirates on Wednesday may not translate to qualification for the quarter finals.
Enyimba will still be hoping that last placed ES Setif of Algeria make maximum use of their home advantage to neutralise second-placed Ahli Benghazi of Libya in an encounter in which regional solidarity may play a key role.
Should Ahly Benghazi beat Setif in the away duel, it will be adios for Enyimba in the competition.
Little wonder then that Enyimba had to seek authorisation to host the Pirates in their Aba fortress after it was understood that the Nigerian government may not wish to host South Africans on Nigerian home soil owing to the special variant of Covid-19 prevalent in South Africa.
It was for that reason that Rivers United had to play their home match away from Nigeria in their encounter with Celtic Bloemfontein late last year.
At the time, Rivers United were already coasting to an impressive victory after their 2-0 away win. Enyimba do not have such advantage and will want to make effective use of home ground.
After much consultations and deliberations, it’s now confirmed that they will host their counterparts from South Africa Orlando Pirates at the Enyimba International Stadium.
Just before the match-day 4 against Ahli Benghazi of Libya, there were speculations on the venue where the People’s Elephants will play the final home game.
However, it was confirmed on Monday morning that the match has finally being agreed to be played at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederation Cup journey with a 1-0 win over Kenya’s Police in the initial leg of the second preliminary round held in Nairobi this Saturday.
Veteran winger Abdallah El-Saied secured the win for the Whites with a precise strike from outside the box just a minute before halftime.
The Cairo giants, winners of the 2023-2024 CAF Confederation Cup title, started the match with relentless pressure on the hosts to clinch victory in the first leg and alleviate pressure before the upcoming return fixture in Cairo next Friday.
“The most important thing for us was to win and achieve our target,” Zamalek coach Gomes said after the game.
Hosts Police FC of Kenya could not breach Zamalek’s resolute defense in search of an equalizer.
Despite notable summer acquisitions, Zamalek’s coach Jose Gomes opted for a standard lineup, integrating young talents in lieu of seasoned players.
“We are now stronger than the previous season, thanks to spending more time with the team and preparing to play in the tournaments that we will participate in,” the Portuguese coach added.
Conversely, Kenya’s Police FC squandered a clear scoring opportunity against Zamalek, missing a crucial chance fifteen minutes before the final whistle, dashing hopes of leveling the score.
Kenya’s Police FC earned their place in this round following a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over Ethiopia Coffee SC.
-Ahram
Nigeria’s Enyimba played a thrilling 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second round tie in Bamako on Friday.
There have been three previous confrontation with Burkina Faso teams and this Friday encounter was the second time that Enyimba had had to face Etoile Filante.
According to facts supplied by Opta Nigeria, Etoile Filante were Enyimba’s first ever opponent on the continent 22 years ago in March 2002. Ever since, Enyimba have played 157 times on the continent; the highest by any Nigerian club.
Enyimba carry their advantage to the return leg to be played on 22 September.
Nigeria’s sole survivors in the CAF Confederation Cup,Enyimba will face Burkina Faso sides, Etoile de Filante in the second round of the competition.
Enyimba drew bye in the preliminary round while the Burkina Faso team reached the second round after eliminating Hafia of Guinea.
Enyimba, second runners-up in the Nigerian League will be attempting to win the Confederation Cup for the first time for Nigeria as they did in the Champions League 21 years ago.
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji becomes third African scoring debutant in Uefa Champions League
Lagos sports writers mourn Adeyinka Adebayo
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoSuper Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoWhy I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week agoNigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs