Nigeria's Sole Hope for CAF Cup - "Enyimba" against "Al Masry"

"Enyimba" is set to revive its glory days in the CAF Confederation Cup, embarking on a new campaign under the guidance of young coach Olanrewaju Daniel.

Nigeria's lone representative in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup, "Enyimba", sets off on another continental campaign by facing Egypt's "Al Masry". The match, scheduled at the Suez Canal Stadium, offers the "People's Elephant" a chance to relive the glory days of 2003 and 2004, when they secured back-to-back CAF Champions League titles.

Since those historic wins, neither "Enyimba" nor any other Nigerian club has clinched the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup. "Aba's" best performances since then have been reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2008 and 2011, as well as the Confederation Cup semi-finals in 2018. Now, under the stewardship of young coach Olanrewaju Daniel, "Enyimba" enters this journey with high ambitions.

As nine-time NPFL champions, "Enyimba" embarks on this new endeavor. Here are five of their most memorable victories in CAF interclub competitions.

"Enyimba" vs "Ismaily" - CAF Champions League Final, November 2003. "Enyimba's" journey to their first CAF Champions League title remains one of the most celebrated moments in Nigerian football. They emerged from a challenging group that included "Simba", "ASEC Mimosas", and "Ismaily", the latter of whom they faced in the final. After edging out Algeria's "USM Alger" in the semi-finals, "Enyimba" was poised for a historic showdown with "Ismaily", securing a 2-0 victory at home through goals from Emeka Nwanna and Ndidi Anumunu.

Although they lost the return leg 1-0, "Enyimba's" aggregate victory secured Nigeria's first CAF Champions League trophy, announcing their arrival on the grand stage. In 2004, "Enyimba" returned to the finals to defend their title. After defeating "Espérance de Tunis" in the semi-finals, they faced "Étoile du Sahel" in a tense finale. Losing the first leg 2-1, "Enyimba" had an uphill challenge in Abuja. Vincent Enyeama's penalty, followed by a strike from Muri Ogunbiyi, gave the champions the upper hand. Ultimately, they triumphed 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

In April 2016, "Enyimba" achieved another remarkable victory over "Étoile du Sahel" during the second round of qualifiers for the CAF Champions League group stage. Playing at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, they thrashed the Tunisian giants 3-0, thanks to Mfon Udoh's hat-trick. Despite "Étoile du Sahel" winning the second leg, "Enyimba" advanced through the penalty shootout.

In 2018, "Enyimba" delivered an emphatic 5-1 win against "Rayon Sports" in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals. Players like Stanley Dimgba and Joseph Osadiaye shone, reaffirming "Enyimba's" standing as one of Africa's elite football clubs.

In April 2021, "Enyimba" secured a crucial 1-0 victory over "Orlando Pirates", with a decisive goal scored in the dying moments to advance to the quarter-finals. This victory highlighted that "Enyimba" is always a force to be reckoned with in African football.