Enyimba's Epic Start in the CAF Confederation Cup

Enyimba embarks on an exciting continental adventure against African rivals.

Nigeria's sole representative in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup, "Enyimba", embarks on another continental campaign as they face Egypt's "Al Masry". The match, scheduled to take place at the Suez Canal Stadium, presents the "People's Elephant" with a fresh opportunity to revive the glory days of 2003 and 2004 when they clinched back-to-back CAF Champions League titles.

Since those historic triumphs, neither "Enyimba" nor any other Nigerian club has won 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. Under the leadership of young coach Olanrewaju Daniel, "Enyimba" embarks on this Confederation Cup journey with high hopes.

As the nine-time NPFL champions begin this new campaign, here are five of their most memorable victories in CAF interclub competitions. In the 2003 CAF Champions League final, "Enyimba" faced "Ismaily" in one of the most iconic moments in Nigerian football history. Emerging from a tough group including "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 thanks to goals from Emeka Nwanna and Ndidi Anumunu.

Though they lost the second leg 1-0 in Egypt, their aggregate victory secured Nigeria's first CAF Champions League trophy, signaling their arrival on the big stage. The 2004 final saw "Enyimba" return, 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 encounter.

"Enyimba" lost the first leg 2-1 in Tunisia, leaving them with 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 giving the defending champions the edge. Although "Étoile" leveled the aggregate score, the match went to penalties, where "Enyimba" triumphed 5-3, retaining their title and cementing their place in African football history.