Sudanese club, Al-Merreikh have taken a giant step towards progressing to the group stage of the 2020-21 CAF Champions League following a 3-0 victory over eight-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba International FC.
Saifeldin Malik netted a hattrick as the Nigerian side were decisively beaten by their hosts.
Merreikh started well at the Al Hilal Stadium, Omdurman and quickly shot into the lead in the sixth minute through Malik. He latched onto a long ball played over the Enyimba defence and fired with ferocious accuracy past the Enyimba goalkeeper, Bassa Djeri.
Malik netted again just before the break to make it 2-0 in identical fashion with the Enyimba rear guard again slow to react as Al-Zaeem were duly put in the box seat. The attacker completed his hattrick in the 89th minute to ensure that the Nigerians will have a mountain to climb in the return fixture in Aba.
Enyimba head coach, Fatai Osho was understandably crestfallen at the result but insisted that the result could have been better.
“It was a strange game as we dominated the game but conceded at horrible periods,” Osho told SPNAfricaNews shortly after the game. “We had chances, many chances but did not take them.
“This is not the time to complain. We have to now start planning for the second leg and look to turn around this deficit.
“No one is giving up. We strongly believe we can qualify,” he said.
The second leg of the tie will be decided at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba on January 5, 2021.
