Match Preview: Pyramids vs Enyimba
Enyimba will march onto the pitch this weekend for their eleventh knockout stage game in CAF club competitions. The Elephants who have won Africa’s prestigious title twice will trade tackles with last season’s losing finalists in the CAF Confederation Cup Pyramids FC in the first leg of the quarterfinal.
TEAM NEWS
Coach Fatai Osho has a handful of players ruled out for the Pyramids clash. Influential winger Anayo Iwuala misses the tie due to suspension and defender Nabil Yarou is out due to travel passport issues.
Left-back Imo obot joins Stanley Okorom, Samson Obi, and Sadiq Abubakar on the treatment table.
The rest of the squad is fresh and available for selection.
Enyimba pipped Orlando Pirates on the final day of group games to book a place in the last eight as Group A winners, while Pyramids although in a more comfortable manner finished as runners up Group C.
The tie which is billed for Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 5pm (Nigerian time) will see the Elephants march onto the 30,000 capacity 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
RECENT VISITS TO EGYPT
Enyimba has fond memories of playing in Egypt, the best coming in 2003 where the Elephants lifted their maiden African title.
2003: Enyimba were beaten 6-1 by Ismaily at the Ismailia Stadium (group stage CAFCL)
2003: Enyimba lost 1-0 to Ismaily in the second leg of the CAF champions league finals but triumphed 2-1 on aggregate to win the title.
2005: Enyimba lost to Al Ahly 2-1 in Cairo (group stage CAFCL)
2008: Al Ahly beat Enyimba 1-0 in Cairo (group stage CAFCL)
2015: Enyimba lost to Smouha 2-0 in Alexandria (first round CAFCL)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first time both teams will face-off in the history of CAF club competitions.
FORM GUIDE (LAST 5 GAMES)
Enyimba FC – LWLDL
Pyramids FC – WWDWL
Fatai Osho’s Pre-match Thoughts
“It’s going to be a big match everybody knows that, pyramids FC over time they have really established themselves at the level of the continent and they are a formidable side any day any time. We know what we are up against, it’s not really going to be an easy fixture. The players are quite aware of this, we have talked over it, the need for us to come out and be on the ascendancy because we are talking of a team that out of their last eleven away games they’ve won ten of it, so you’ve got to record a good result at their home to actually fancy your chances. It’s important we go to Cairo and get a good result.”
No Nigerian side has ever won the CAF Confederation Cup but Enyimba will seek to change the narrative in Cairo this weekend.