Egyptian Hopes: A New Phase for "Enyimba" in the Confederation Cup

The match between "Enyimba" and "Al Masry" renews the Nigerian team's quest for victory in continental tournaments.

Nigeria’s sole representative in the Confederation of African Football Confederations Cup "Enyimba" kicks off another campaign on the continent as they face Egypt’s "Al Masry". The game, scheduled at the Suez Canal Stadium, offers "The People's Elephant" a chance to relive the glorious days of 2003 and 2004, when they secured back-to-back CAF Champions League titles.

Since those historic triumphs, neither "Enyimba" nor any other Nigerian club has managed to win the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup. The best performances by the Aba-based side since then include reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2008 and 2011, as well as the Confederation Cup semi-finals in 2018. Now, under the guidance of young coach Olanrewaju Daniel, "Enyimba" sets out on this Confederation Cup journey with high aspirations.

As the nine-time NPFL champions step into this fresh campaign, here are five of their most memorable victories in CAF interclub competitions.

"Enyimba" vs "Ismaily" - CAF Champions League Final, November 2003. "Enyimba’s" path to their first CAF Champions League title remains one of the most iconic moments in Nigerian football. They emerged from a tough group that included "Simba", "ASEC Mimosas", and "Ismaily", whom they later faced in the final. After defeating Algeria’s "USM Alger" 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals, "Enyimba" prepared for a historic showdown with "Ismaily". In the first leg at the Aba International Stadium, the home side secured a 2-0 victory, with goals from Emeka Nwanna and Ndidi Anumunu.

Although they lost the second leg 1-0 in Egypt, their aggregate win secured Nigeria’s first CAF Champions League trophy, marking their arrival on the big stage. "Enyimba" vs "Étoile Du Sahel" - CAF Champions League Final, December 2004. "Enyimba" returned to the final in 2004, aiming to defend their title. After defeating another North African side, "Espérance de Tunis", in the semi-finals, they faced "Étoile Du Sahel" in a tense final. "Enyimba" lost the first leg 2-1 in Tunisia, facing an uphill battle in the return leg at the National Stadium in Abuja. Vincent Enyeama scored a penalty in the 43rd minute, followed by a Muri Ogunbiyi strike that gave the defending champions the edge. Though "Étoile" levelled the aggregate score, the match went to penalties, where "Enyimba" triumphed 5-3 to retain their title and cement their place in African football history.

"Enyimba" 3-0 "Étoile Du Sahel" - CAF Champions League, April 2016. "Enyimba" got another one over "Étoile Du Sahel" in 2016 during the second round of qualifiers for the CAF Champions League group stage. Playing at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, they dismantled the Tunisian giants 3-0, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Mfon Udoh. Though "Étoile" won the second leg 3-0, resulting in a 3-3 aggregate score, "Enyimba" advanced to the group stage after goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai saved two penalties in the shootout against the Tunisians.

"Enyimba" 5-1 "Rayon Sports" - CAF Confederation Cup, September 2018. "Enyimba" produced one of their most emphatic wins in African football by thrashing Rwanda’s "Rayon Sports" 5-1 in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. Playing at the Aba International Stadium, the two-time African champions delivered an attacking masterclass, with goals from Stanley Dimgba, Ikouwem Udoh, Sunday Adetunji, Joseph Osadiaye, and Isiaka Oladuntoye. This victory propelled "Enyimba" to their first CAF interclub semi-final in over a decade, reaffirming their status as one of Africa’s elite clubs. Additionally, it helped Nigeria maintain its two-club quota in CAF competitions.

"Enyimba" 1-0 "Orlando Pirates" - CAF Confederation Cup, April 2021. In the final group-stage match of the CAF Confederation Cup, "Enyimba" faced South African side "Orlando Pirates" in a do-or-die encounter. With "Entente Sétif" of Algeria also in contention, the Nigerian giants needed a win to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The game seemed destined for a stalemate until Cyril Olisema scored in the dying moments, delivering a dramatic 1-0 victory for the Aba giants. This crucial win ensured "Enyimba" topped their group and advanced to the last eight, once again preserving Nigeria’s two-club quota in CAF competitions.