Al Masry dim Enyimba’s Confederation Cup title hopes
13 January 2025 |
2:44 am
Enyimba’s hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup were made dimmer yesterday in Uyo by Egypt’s Al Masry, who held the Peoples Elephant to a 1-1 draw.
Enyimba’s hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup were made dimmer yesterday in Uyo by Egypt’s Al Masry, who held the Peoples Elephant to a 1-1 draw.
The game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium was expected to boost Enyimba’s chances of progressing to the competition’s knockout stage. Still, the Stanley Eguma side could not muster the technical skills needed to beat a highly tactical Egyptian side, whose close control of the ball confounded the Nigerians.
The Egyptians, who were always first to reach every loose ball, took the lead in the eight-minute through Mohammed Hashem, whose powerful header off a cross from the left wing beat Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Henry Ani, for the opener.
Thereafter, the Egyptians adopted a defensive tactic that allowed Enyimba to control the ball up to the centre circle before fighting to regain control. The first half ended with Al Masry maintaining their 1-0 lead.
Enyimba came out stronger in the second half, with Joseph Atule and Ekene Awaziem leading the charge. Their efforts paid off in the third minute of the second half when Ifeanyi Ihemekwele nodded in the equaliser off a pullout by Chiemerie Ukadike.
Following the equaliser, Enyimba’s ambitions grew, with Coach Eguma introducing former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye, in search of the winning goal. But that did not happen.
Rather, Al Masry missed the opportunity to retake the lead when substitute, Abderrahim Doughnoum, was brought down in Enyimba’s box. But Ani saved the penalty kick.
With the result, Enyimba must beat Zamalek in Cairo in their last group game to have hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals. Zamalek defeated the Black Bulls of Mozambique 3-1 in Maputo to maintain their stranglehold on Group D of the Confederation Cup with 11 points.
Al Masry is second with six points, while Enyimba moved to the third position with five points. To make the last eight, Enyimba must beat Zamalek while hoping that Black Bulls will upset Al Masry in Alexandria in their last group game.
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