Nigeria Football

Enyimba crash out of CAF Champions League

Enyimba International have crashed out of this years CAF Champions League after losing over two legs to Sudanese Club, Al-Merrikh in the first round.

Enyimba lost the first leg 3-0 in Omdurman and despite winning 2-1 in the second leg in Aba on Wednesday (January 6), the People’s Elephant crashed out 4-2 on aggregate.

Merrikh started the second at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba on the front foot and took the lead in the 8th minute through Saifeldin Malik.

Malik netted all three goals in the first leg in Omdurman but the Enyimba defence again failed to respond to the obvious danger posed by the attacker.

Enyimba had to score five goals to progress and duly pushed forward.

They equalised in the 14th minute through Mbaoma who prodded home a rebound to give the hosts hope of a stirring comeback.

Early in the second half, those hopes were heightened as Enyimba won a penalty after Samad Kadiri was upended in the box.

Mbaoma converted to give the hosts the lead for the first time on the day but that was the best they could muster as Merrikh defended resolutely to close out the win on aggregate.

The result means that no Nigerian club will be present in the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.

The second of the country’s representatives, Plateau United, were earlier beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Tanzanian club, Simba.

Robin Petersen

Recent Posts

Marathon magic in New York and Soweto

Competitive racing was the order of the day at the TCS New York City Marathon…

1 week ago

Mainz 05 Inspires Youth at Totalsport Safe-Hub in Alexandra

A coaching team from Bundesliga club 1.FSV Mainz 05 visited Totalsport Safe-Hub in Alexandra for…

2 weeks ago

Spotlight on African basketball talent and milestones as NBA’s 2024/25 season takes off

An NBA season packed with African talent and colourful courts is underway, with games available…

3 weeks ago

Tsitsikamma and Trail Running – setting the gold standard for inclusive conservation

Victor Mokoena and his team in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park…

3 weeks ago

Xaba and Tola re-write the record books at Sanlam’s Cape Town Marathon

Rising Ethiopian marathon star, Abdisa Tola, and South Africa’s running great, Glenrose ‘Supercharger’ Xaba, created…

4 weeks ago

Collin and Tayla shine on Day One of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon weekend

Zimbabwean Collin Kanyimo and British athlete Catherine Williamson took the trail honours in the 44km…

4 weeks ago