Nigeria’s sole representative in the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup group stage Enyimba FC ended their campaign with a 1-3 loss at defending Champions Zamalek on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Nigerians knew going into Sunday’s game that even a win may not be enough to grant them passage into the quarterfinals of the competition but that win still eluded them in the game decided at the Cairo International Stadium.
After a lengthy spell of dominance, hosts Zamalek went in front shortly before the half hour mark when Mostafa Shalaby glanced home Zico’s cross from close range. The goal effectively put paid to any qualification hope harboured by the Nigerian side coached by Stanley Eguma.
The People’s Elephant then suffered a big blow just three minutes into the second half as a gaffe by goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani allowed Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri to double Zamalek’s advantage and turn Enyimba’s mountainous task to an impossible one.
Enyimba did however halve the deficit in the 57th minute when striker Ifeanyi (scoring his fourth goal of the group stage) turned home Paschal Eze’s effort after the Zamalek defence failed to clear their lines after a routine set-piece. The goal brought propelled Enyimba for a while, even if they were reduced to tentative long range strikes which did not do enough to ruffle their opponents.
Jaziri however made the game safe for Zamalek three minutes from time when he drove a fast train through the Enyimba defence, piercing through in a 60m run before slotting past the hapless Ani and into the bottom right corner.
COEFFICIENT BOOST
Consequent upon Enyimba’s group stage elimination, Nigeria had stood the risk of losing grounds on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) coefficient rankings but they were handed a significant boost later on Sunday night.
Angolan side CD Luanda Sul pulled off a miraculous 0-1 away win at Stade Malien of Mali, a result which meant the Malians finished bottom of their group with severe ramifications on the CAF coefficient ranking table.
What it means, pending confirmation is that, Nigeria will present four teams (two in Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively) in the CAF Inter Club competitions next season.
