CAF Confederation Cup
Zamalek still flaming ahead of Confederation Cup clash with Enyimba
CAF Confederation Cup defending champions who will on Sunday face Nigeria’s Enyimba have continued their winning mentality, even at the domestic scene.
Already qualified for the quarterfinals, Zamalek are under little pressure as Enyimba are hoping for a win and a positive result from the other corresponding duel of Al Masry and Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls.
Enyimba, third on the log with five points are in a struggle with second-placed Al Masry who have six points. Enyimba will have to beat Zamalek in Cairo and hope that Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls will beat Al-Masry in Egypt.
But Zamalek are yet to decline in form as they cruised past Haras El-Hodoud with a 3-2 victory in the eighth matchday of the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday.
In the process, they climbed to the second position in the domestic league. propelling them to second place in the table
Winger Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed opened the scoring just 12 minutes into the game with a precise right-footed strike from inside the box, capitalizing on a superb assist from Omar Gaber to give Zamalek an early advantage.
Haras El-Hodoud’s Mohamed Ashraf levelled the score in the 25th minute from a penalty kick, but Zamalek quickly regained control.
Unmarked Mostafa Shalaby doubled the lead in the 36th minute with a clinical finish from close range, following an excellent assist from Mohamed Shehata.
Zizo extended Zamalek’s lead to 3-1 just before halftime, converting a penalty kick.
Despite Haras El-Hodoud’s efforts in the second half, forward Mahmoud Mamdouh pulled one back with a penalty goal four minutes before the final whistle.
This crucial win propelled Zamalek to second place in the standings with 17 points. They trailed leaders Ahly by just one point and edged ahead of Pyramids FC in goal difference. Both teams were tied on points with the Whites.
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Nigeria’s Enyimba are clinging to possibilities as they head to Cairo, Egypt for their last CAF Confederation Cup group match against leaders, Zamalek.
In the club’s website, Enyimba are looking up to possible upstage of the defending champions on Sunday and a likely slip by the other Egyptian club, Al Masry who will host Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls.
Enyimba could have eased pressure and be in a commanding position for a quarter-final slot had they beaten Al-Masry in Uyo last Sunday.
But the club in an article on their website look optimistic of coming back with smiles after their Sunday’s match with Zamalek on Sunday.
“Our Journey to Zamalek: Another Shot at a Reason to Smile” Enyimba assured fans.
Their statement reads: “A lot has been said about our game against Al Masry, one which we should have won. The boys gave what they could, yet we still fell short of that victory. But like the Elephant, we will keep trudging on.
“Despite our challenges, we have shown a positive attitude recently and our second half in Uyo on Sunday holds a lot promise for us.
“We have an uphill task against Zamalek in Egypt, that which is surmountable. It is football anyway.
“We have had situations when we had our backs against the wall but we still found our way out to stand tall.
“In 2021, we were minutes away from leaving the competition if we did not beat Orlando Pirates in our last game, in front of our dear fans.
“In the dying moments of extra time, in the 95th minute to be precise, we scored, courtesy of a fine strike by Cyril Olisema.
“That never-say-die spirit is what we should hold on to as we journey to Egypt to face Zamalek who have already qualified for the next round.
“Our coach, Stanley Eguma has managed four games now and he has seen areas he needs to work on, at least in the short term to prepare the team for the big day against Zamalek.
“He has had to improvise on occasions; like Innocent Gabriel playing in midfield. He will find an approach which will help us to absorb the pressure in Egypt and go for victory.
“With Zamalek already through to the next round, they are no longer under pressure and it is an advantage for us.
“The players are aware of how big the challenge is and it is time to give it one last shot.
When we saw the draws, we knew it was not going to be easy. However, we are a club steeped in the history of CAF football competitions and have faced mountain-like obstacles which we surmounted.
“We have that strong mentality, and it is what we should take into the game.
“We should banish the unpleasant memories of the last game and move ahead. Like it is said in football, it is not over until it is over.
“We will go to Egypt, we will fight till the end and hopefully, we will have a reason to smile again.”
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Nigeria’s sole survivor in continental interclubs, Enyimba failed to beat the visiting Al-Masry of Egypt on Sunday in Uyo as they laboured to a 1-1 draw.
The scoreline and the 3-1 away win of Zamalek in the corresponding CAF Confederation Cup Group D duel against Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls has almost assured that the two Egyptian clubs will top and move to the quarterfinals.
Had Enyimba won, they would have been second and could qualify if they draw their last match, an away duel with Zamalek on Sunday.
Those are now mere conjectures. The two Egyptian sides will play at home as Zamalek, now with an unassailable 11 points will host Enyimba who have five points.
Al-Masry, second-placed with six points will host Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls. Even if Enyimba beat the already qualified Zamalek to get eight points, it may end up in vain if Al-Masry beat Associação Black Bulls to get nine points.
In the match in Uyo, Enyimba as they did against Zamalek started on the wrong foot, conceding a goal under nine minutes following a perfect header from corner kick by Mohamed Hashem.
Like they did against Zamalek, it was Ifeanyi Ihemekwele who scored in the early minutes of the second half.
That was where their efforts ended as the Egyptians overwhelmed the hosts. Al-Masry could have even gone up again, but Mohamed Hamada lost a 68th-minute penalty kick.
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CAF Confederation Cup
Enyimba v Al-Masry: Bang! Bang!! Bang!! Am here to bang goals, declares Brown Ideye
“My job as a striker is to score goals”, said former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye who is expected to star for Enyimba in Sunday’s crucial CAF Confederation Cup match with Egypt’s Al-Masry in Uyo.
He made the remarks in the pre-match press conference held on Saturday. Ideye was an instant hit when he was brought in as a substitute in the 4-1 demolition of Mozambique’s Associação Black Bulls in the match day 4.
He scored within six minutes of being introduced into the match. Ideye has promised to deliver again with the support of his teammates.
Enyimba needs to score goals to upstage Egypt’s Al-Masry in the second position on the log.
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