Match Report: Enyimba 1-1 Pyramids

Enyimba’s hopes of overturning a 4-1 first leg deficit was dashed by Said Adel’s goal which ensured the Elephants were left with so much to do after 32 minutes in the second leg of the quarterfinals in the CAF Confederation Cup at the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The People’s Elephant were unable to get any reward for an impressive start as Said Adel capitalized on a Nelson Ogbonnaya mistake to put Pyramids FC in front in Aba.

A thorough display dominated discussion if Enyimba were to conjure one of the most historical comebacks in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Anayo Iwuala was handed a starting berth after missing the tie in Cairo and in a rare midfield combination, the trio of Philip Ozor, Mohammed Farouk, and Cyril Olisema all started; while Victor Mbaoma led the line for the Elephants.

Enyimba dominated the game with Philip Ozor orchestrating proceedings from the middle of park. Ozor picked out Mbaoma in as early as the 2nd minute with a lovely chip but the striker couldn’t hit the target from about 10 yards. Again, Anayo met Farouk’s true pass but the Pyramids goalkeeper was fastest off his line to snuff out the danger with a great save in the 12th minute.

Philip Ozor came closest to scoring in the 22nd minute after another spell of intricate passes in midfield. The dazzling midfielder hit a lovely shot that was destined for the top corner but Pyramids’ goalkeeper applied a fingertip safe to put it over the crossbar.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 32nd minute in a fortuitous manner when Nelson Ogbonnaya’s pass was intercepted into the path of Adel who hit a first shot time to put Pyramids ahead.

Enyimba responded with an equalizer in the 40th minute when Anayo Iwuala struck a lovely curler into the back of the net of a static substitute goalkeeper to end the first half one apiece.

The second half started with a flurry of changes. Injured Philip Ozor was replaced by Captain Austin Oladapo, Orok Gabriel came in for Victor Mbaoama, Nabil Yarou took the place of Nelson Ogbonnaya, and Samad Kadiri replaced the combative Tosin Omoyele.

There were a handful of half chances for Orok Gabriel and Samad Kadiri later in the half as the Egyptians maintained a solid defensive base to earn a hard fought 1-1 draw in Aba.

One apiece it ended on the day and Pyramids FC progressed to the semi-finals 2-5 on aggregate.

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