With three of the four games already decided, Nigeria league champions Enyimba and Egypt league champions Zamalek will be in search of maximum points when both teams begin their quest for a CAF Champions League trophy on Sunday, June 19.
It was a nightmare start for 9-time champions Ah Ahly as they lost to 3-2 at Zesco United of Zambia in the group A CAF Champions League group.
It was the first defeat in the competition for Dutch coach Martin Jol, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, after two victories and two draws in qualifiers and a disappointing return for the Egyptian power house after a two-year absence.
The other Group A match involved two former African champions which saw Salaheddine Saidi header earned Wydad Casablanca of Morocco a 1-0 away win over Asec Mimosas of the Ivory Coast.
Group B kicked off on Saturday, June 18, when Entente Setif of Algeria lost 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. Fully aware of the Sundowns victory, Enyimba will be hoping to make good use of home advantage to secure maximum points against their Egyptian rival.
However, the Peoples Elephant go into the game on the back of a poor run in the Nigeria Professional Football League – with three defeats and a draw in their last four games.
At the other end, Coach Mohammed Helmy will be missing the services of five key players owing to injuries and disciplinary issue, including captain, Mahmoud Shikabala, who is not fit for the clash. Both sides are experiencing contrasting fortunes in their domestic leagues with Enyimba placing seventh in the NPFL while Zamalek are second in the Egyptian elite division.
Coach Helmy’s team have all but lost their Egyptian title to rivals Al Ahly and now seek consolation from the Champions League Helmy told NAIJ.com:
“My players have learned from our mistake against El-Shorta game over the weekend. “It was a good lesson for the players ahead of the CAF Champions League game. Enyimba is expected to be very difficult so we have to concentrate on the game, but we have what it take to get a good result.”
The Enyimba Vs Zamalek game will take place at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday, June 19. Kickoff time is 4pm and soccer120.com will bring you live coverage of the encounter.
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