Pre-match Analysis: Pyramids vs Enyimba

With the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal fixture against Pyramids FC now on the horizon, Chuks Ogbu has gone back in time to take a deep look at Enyimba’s previous meetings with Egyptian sides.

Ismaily SC 6-1 Enyimba
August 23, 2003
Ismaily Stadium, Ismaili Egypt
Champions League group stage

It was Enyimba’s first game against a North African opponents and the result was one to quickly forget. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Ismaily after Enyimba had given a good fight, but the People’s Elephant experienced a seeming collapse in the second half and conceded five goals. Obinna Nwaneri scored Enyimba’s consolation goal.

Enyimba 4-2 Ismaily SC
October 19, 2003
Enyimba Stadium
Champions League group stage

The Egyptian side tasted the curtain in Aba but a determined Enyimba, knowing how important a win wouldl be in their quest to qualify to the semifinals, equalised and raced to a 3-1 lead thanks to a brace by Ndidi Anumunu and one from Muri Ogunbiyi. Ismaily reduced the gap Emeka Nwanna sealed the win for the People’s Elephants with a well taken goal.

Enyimba 2-0 Ismaily SC
November 30 2003
Enyimba Stadium
Champions League Final first leg

The Egyptians came to Aba for this final fixture missing some key players including the great Hosny Abd Rabo. Enyimba also missed the services of some key players, notably Victor Ezeji.

The People’s Elephants gave a dominant display on the day and could have won by up to four goals but ended up 2-0 winners because of their profligacy on the day. Emeka Nwanna and Ndidi Anumunu were the goalscorers.

Ismaily SC 1-0 Enyimba FC
December 12 2003
Ismaily Stadium, Ismaili Egypt
Champions Leagueague final second leg

Standing on a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Enyimba won Nigeria’s first ever CAF Champions league trophy in Egypt after putting up a strong defensive display on the night, even after going down to a 27th minute penalty converted by Hosny Abd Rabo.
It ended 2-1 on aggregate and the People’s Elephant were champions of Africa – a first for any Nigerian club.

Enyimba 0 vs 1 Al Ahly
July 10 2005
Enyimba Stadium
Champions League group stage

Emad Moteab’s 11th minute goal sealed an away will for Al Ahly at the Enyimba Stadium as Enyimba registered a stuttering start in group A.

Al Ahly 2-1 Enyimba
September 11, 2005
Military Stadium, Cairo
Champions League group stage

Enyimba arrived Cairo without their leading scorer in the competition, Jeotex Frimpong, who sustained an injury shortly before the big game. Needing a draw from the game to seal a place in the semifinal, Enyimba took the lead through Beninese player Atanda Sakibu; but Hosny Osama’s goals in each half ensured a loss and the elimination of the Nigerians from the competition.

Enyimba 0-0 Al Ahly
October 5, 2008
Champions League semifinal first leg
Enyimba Stadium

Despite dominating from start to finish, Enyimba could not take first leg advantage in home patch add the opponents held out for a scoreless draw.

Al Ahly 1-0 Enyimba
October 18, 2008
Champions League semifinal second leg
Military Stadium, Cairo

A first half header from Angola International, Flavio Amando off a corner kick from another Angola player Sabastiao was all Al Ahly needed to knock Enyimba out of the competition. Enyimba dominated the second half but couldn’t find a way through to goal.

Enyimba 1-0 Smouha SC
March 15, 2015
Champions League first round first leg
Enyimba Stadium

It was the first meeting between Enyimba and the Egyptian side, Smouha.

The game started with the People’s Elephants enjoying a large chunk of the possession, until the second half when Cameroonian Raphael Boumsong’s header gave the Nigerian side the advantage.

Smouha showed an improved performance in the second half but Enyimba held in for a first leg advantage.

Smouha SC 2-0 Enyimba
April 5 2015
Champions League first round second leg.
Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt

A goal in each half saw the Egyptians triumph against 10 man Enyimba, who had Kingsley Sokari sent off early in the second half.
With their 2-1 aggregate win, Smouha advanced to the next stage.

Enyimba FC 0-1 Zamalek
June 19, 2016
Champions League group stage
Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt Nigeria

The first game of the group stages of the 2016 Champions League saw Enyimba face five times Champions Zamalek SC. Eight minutes into the game, a defensive miss-up on the Enyimba side saw the Egyptians take the lead through Bassam Morsy.

Enyimba labored for an equaliser all through the rain-soaked game but never got one.

Zamalek 1-0 Enyimba FC
August 15, 2016
CAF Champions league group stage
Petro Sports Stadium, Cairo

Pointless in their previous group games, Enyimba knew they had to beat Zamalek in Cairo to keep alive their hopes of making it beyond the group stages that season.

Paul Aigbogun’s gave a worthy performance and Chima Akas struck the woodwork with a powerful drive; but Bassam Morsy, in the 63rd minute, converted a penalty after then captain, Chinedu Udoji hacked down a Zamalek player in the box.

The game ended 1-0 in favour of the hosts, resulting in Enyimba’s elimination from the competition with a game to spare.

In All Enyimba FC have played four Egyptian sides across twelve matches and have recorded three wins, one draw and eight losses. Nine goals have been scored against seventeen that have been conceded.