Enyimba must beat Horoya of Guinea in Conakry a week today if they desired to move forward in the on-going CAF Confederation Cup. Anything short of that will mean Nigeria’s last hope of winning any continental club trophy this season will be dashed.
Yesterday at the Aba Stadium, Enyimba were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Guineans, who celebrated the draw as if they had won the tie. They have every reason to rejoice as they need only a goalless draw in Conakry to eliminate the 2003 and 2004 Champions League winners.
Augustine Oladapo gave Enyimba the lead in the 18th minute, but that strike was cancelled out by substitute, Boniface Haba in the second half.
Lamine N’Diaye’s men were poor in the first half and deservedly went behind to Augustine Oladapo’s 18th-minute effort.
Prior to Enyimba’s goal, Horoya had two golden opportunities to equalize, but Alseny Camara and Aristide Bance missed the chances.
Haba, who replaced Bance, repaid his coach’s confidence 20 minutes to time when he headed in a cross from Boubacar Samassekou.
Victor Mbaoma had the opportunity to give Enyimba the lead, but he missed the chance.
Fatai Osho’s men will meet the Guineans again on March 8 inside Conakry’s Stade du 28 Septembre.
Elsewhere, Egyptian side, Pyramids FC moved a step closer to the Confederation Cup semifinals after claiming a precious 3-0 away win over Zanaco of Zambia in the first leg of the competition’s quarters.
Defender Ali Gabr opened the scoring in the 18th minute after meeting a pinpoint cross from Abdallah El-Saed with a nice header to fire home.
Winger Mohamed Farouk added the second goal six minutes later, using a rebound from Zanaco’s keeper to score in an empty net and allowing his side to go to the locker rooms with a precious 2-0 advantage.
Veteran playmaker El-Saed completed the rout after converting a penalty in the 69th minute to confirm the win.
Pyramids FC’s mission will be less of a challenge in the second leg when they host Zanaco in Cairo yesterday.
