Omdurman, Enyimba’s familiar territory

Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Al Merrikh will be the first time for Enyimba to meet the Sudanese greats. Yet the Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, where the match will be played, is in no way an unfamiliar patch for the People’s Elephant.

Merrikh’s traditional ground, The Al Merrikh Stadium, is currently undergoing renovation meaning The Mars will host Enyimba in the home of their fierce rivals, just a street away.

It is a patch that The People’s Elephants have trodded on three previous occasions, albeit all against Al Hilal FC.

We take you through those previous visits to the ground well known for its fierceness, so much it has long been nicknamed ‘The Cemetery’.

July 18, 2008

Enyimba’s first ever game at The Cemetery was a Champions League group B opener in 2008. Stephen Nworgu and Cletus Itodo were the scorers in that game as we lost 3-2, but went on to qualify from the group.

September 9, 2011

In the penultimate round of matches of the group stage, Enyimba needed a result in Omdurman to stay ahead of Al Hilal in the log, and the two times champions did it in style. Despite trailing to Edward Sadomba’s first half goal, The People’s Elephant came back trumpeting in the second half with two goals from dead ball situations – Valentine Nwabali’s exquisite freekick and Samuel Twanya penalty. The result ultimately helped Enyimba to finish top of the Champions League group.

September 29, 2019

Our last game in Omdurman, much like the next, was a Champions League first round fixture. Mohamed Eldai scored the only goal that resulted in our elimination from the competition.

What are your predictions for Enyimba’s fourth visit to Omdurman? You can leave your reply in the comments section below.