CAF Confederation Cup
Pyramids Plan Ruthless Finish Against Enyimba
Despite a comfortable 4-1 first-leg advantage, Egyptian news outlet, Ahram has reported that Pyramids FC are keeping their feet on the ground as they meet Nigeria’s Enyimba away from home in the second leg of the African Confederation Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Pyramids conceded an early goal in the home clash against Enyimba following a comical mistake from error-prone goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy but they roared back with four goals to take a commanding lead.
Their powerful attacking trident of Ramadan Sobhi, veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said and young winger Ibrahim Adel combined to devastating effect.
Adel was particularly impressive, with his second-half brace including a sublime bicycle kick.
However, Pyramids coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena must remain focused on securing an away victory to ensure there wouldn’t be any upsets in the Nigerian city of Aba.
“We have to claim another win. We must forget about the first-leg result,” the Argentinean boss told the pre-match news conference.
“There is no impossible in football so we must remain vigilant, especially that we are facing a team that boasts big experience in Africa.”
Enyimba believe they can stage a comeback and cause one of the greatest upsets in the history of African football.
“We just have to put our heads together, work as a team with one mind, its football and I believe anything is possible,” Enyimba winger Anayo Iwuala, back to the team after missing the first leg through automatic suspension, said on the club’s official website.
“We have to get the three goals, we can and it’s possible and I believe come Sunday we will get the three goals by his grace.”
Last year’s runners-up Pyramids have no injury worries heading into the game as they seek to continue their bid towards their first ever title. Enyimba welcome back Iwuala and defender Nabil Yarou.
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.
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