CAFCC: Enyimba’s hopes of qualification dwindles after penultimate-day result against Al Masry

Former Nigerian Premier Football League champions Enyimba settled for a 1-1 draw against Al Masry in their penultimate CAF Confederations Cup group game on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Enyimba welcomed Egyptian side Al Masry to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for their penultimate game of the group stage.

The People’s Elephants needed a win to stand a chance of qualifying for the round of the competition after picking just four points from their first four games.

Al Masry also had to avoid defeat to ensure they remained in a good position to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Unfortunately for Enyimba, they had a rough start, with Mohamed Hashem scoring in the eighth minute to make it 1-0. After falling behind, coach Stanley Eguma’s lads picked up the tempo and started pressing for the equalizer.

However, they had to wait until the 47th minute before getting the equalizer, courtesy of Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.

After scoring at the start of the second half, Enyimba were expected to raise the ante and go for the winner, but they failed to do so.

Al Masry had some good looks at goal. The Egyptian side even had an opportunity to score from the spot in the 67th minute, but Henry Ozoemena proved his quality and saved it to keep Nigeria in the game.

Enyimba pushed hard for the winner, but they did not get it and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Can Enyimba qualify for the knockout rounds of the Confederations Cup?

As it is, the People’s Elephants are in a precarious situation despite their draw against Al Masry. They now sit third in Group B of the Confederations Cup with five points after five games, one point behind Al Masry in second, and six points behind Zamalek in third.

So, to qualify for the next round, Enyimba must defeat Zamalek and hope that Black Bulls miraculously claim a draw or win at Al Masry.

Enyimba will be playing at the 75,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium. And it is not news- their notorious struggles on North African soil. Their last two games against Zamalek have ended in defeats, and it is hard to see them picking a result away from home, especially after they were thrashed 4-1 at Mozambique side Black Bulls.

The future looks gloomy for the People’s Elephants currently, as they do not even have their future in their hands. But then, it is football, and anything can happen.