Enyimba may be eliminated after Mamelodi Sundowns victory against Zamalek

The Brazilians got an away victory in Cairo to lead Group B with the Nigerians’ semi-final hope now hanging in the balance

Enyimba are on the verge of a humiliating group stage exit in the 2016 Caf Champions League after Mamelodi Sundowns got a 2-1 against Zamalek in Cairo.

Goals from Khama Billiat and Tiyani Mabunda were all the South Africans needed to secure their second victory at a bounce – and now top Group B with six points.

The Brazilians who had their victory against ES Setif cancelled owing to the Algerians’ disqualification from the competition now need a point at least from their remaining two games to qualify for the semi-final of the competition.

Enyimba’s campaign got off to a stuttering start when they lost 1-0 at home to the Egyptians in Port Harcourt. Their second game against Pitso Mosimane’s side in South Africa also ended in defeat leaving them with no point from two games.

As it stands, Paul Aigbogun’s men must win their remaining games convincingly to stand a chance of reaching the knockout phase at they hope to lift their third title.

First, they must negotiate their way past wounded Zamalek on August 14 at the Petro Sport Stadium, Cairo before going all out for victory against Sundowns in August at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Read More

African Champions league: Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat Enyimba 2-1

African Champions league: Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat Enyimba 2-1

Read More

Sundowns beat Enyimba in CAF Champions League

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns beat Enyimba 2-1 in a 2016 Caf Champions League Group B clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.      

Victory for the Brazilians gets their campaign off to a winning start; after their 2-0 win over ES Setif in Algeria was chalked off.

Defeat for Enyimba leaves them with a lot to do as they now have to wait until August for their next clash - away to Zamalek. 

With so much to play for, a cagey start was to be expected with both teams relying on the counter-attack. 

Sundowns showed in Algeria earlier this month that they are deadly on the counter and after Keagan Dolly burst forward; Khama Billiat saw his powerful shot whistle past the post. 

Enyimba, though, needed to win following their 1-0 defeat to Zamalek in Port Harcourt last week and went close through a counter of their own on 13 minutes. 

Ifeanyi Onuigbo however, was brilliantly denied by Wayne Sandilands, who continued the good form he showed in Algeria earlier this month - in place of the suspended Denis Onyango. 

Chances were at a premium for the rest of the half, but with three minutes before the break Leonardo Castro poked home the opener following a blistering run into the area by Dolly. 

Enyimba pulled level through Oluwadamilare Ojo on 59 minutes, after Sundowns failed to clear their lines from a corner-kick - the People's Elephant midfielder rifled home the equaliser via the inside of the crossbar. 

The visitors were on top and looked sure to grab all three points, but Sundowns regained their momentum and scored the winner through Wayne Arendse in the 78th minute with the Brazilians defender guiding the ball into the net at the back post.

With Enyimba tiring; Sundowns saw out the rest of the game with relative ease as they moved a step closer to reaching the knockout stages.  

By Chinedu Okorodike

Read More

Enyimba to travel to South Africa On Sunday For Sundowns Clash

Nigerian champions Enyimba will travel to South Africa on Sunday for next Wednesday’s CAF Champions League Group B fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The players who have been perfecting strategies for the game in Port Harcourt, learnt, will arrive at the Murtala International Airport, Lagos on Sunday afternoon.

The team will then board a South Africa Airlines plane to Pretoria, the base of Sundowns.
The Peoples Elephant started their campaign in the group stages on a disappointing note losing 1-0 to Egyptian champions Zamalek last Sunday in Port Harcourt.

Sundowns who defeated Entente Setif of Algeria 2-0 in the other Group B fixture have had the result cancelled after the Algerians were disqualified from the competition by the 

Confederation of African Football due to fans trouble at the venue of the game.
The game will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria

Read More

ES Setif disqualified from CAF Champions League. Enyimba now second on the table

Mamelodi Sundowns' Group B rivals ES Setif have been disqualified from the Champions League.

The Algerian side were booted out of the competition by CAF following unruly scenes during their 2-0 home loss to Sundowns on June 18.

Algerian club Entente Setif have been kicked out of the African Champions League after fan violence caused their opening game of the group phase to be abandoned last weekend.

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) announced the unprecedented measure in response to the violent scenes at the end of Setif's 2-0 home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

Objects were thrown onto the field while some fans invaded the pitch in stoppage time.

CAF said in a statement that the referee had abandoned the match due to the pitch invasion and after spectators and security personnel had been injured by "missiles, stones, bottles, and firecrackers".

Under competition rules, any match halted because of violence leads to the disqualification of the home team.

The result of the match was wiped out and the group has now been left with three teams - Sundowns, Enyimba of Nigeria and Egypt's Zamalek. The top two advance to September's semi-finals.

The decision marks the first time a club has been expelled from the Champions League since the group format was introduced to Africa's top club competition in 1997

Read More

Enyimba 0-1 Zamalek: Enyimba loses first match

All of the incisive passing and movement that had served Aigbogun’s men so well against Etoile du Sahel completely deserted them in a first half devoid of chances, with Joseph Osadiaye and Mfon Udoh unable to get close to some probing crosses from the midfield. 

Ifeanyi Onuigbo was brilliant all day

Zamalek also appeared too cautious to truly threaten, dominating possession but rarely committing men forward, with Ahmed Tawfik dropping into the clutches of Ikechukwu Ibenegbu in midfield all too often.

Enyimba would be hoping to bouncing back when they face Mamelodi Sundowns on June 29 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium

Literally sent him for a swim! 🏊🏊🏊 #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/aurMTN785d

— KingFut.com (@King_Fut) June 19, 2016

Mfon Udoh was quite all day

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat Algerian side ES Setif of Algeria 2-0 in the first Group B game on Saturday.

Enyimba now sit third in the group following the defeat. They will face Sundowns in their second game in a fortnight.

Read More

Enyimba vs Zamalek: Starting Eleven released

The team list for the epic encounter between Enyimba and Zamalek is out. Surprisingly Oahimijie Kelly starts, while Mfon Udoh leads the attack as usual.  Ibenegbu Bartholomew Mosquito also starts in midfield and save hands goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai keeps his place in goal.

Full List

EnyimbaXI: 1. Afelokhai, 12. Kelly, 14. Anyawu, 15. Ibenegbu, 16. Ojo, 17. Pyagbara, 20. Osadiaye, 26. Udoji, 27. Akas, 30. Onuigbo, 10.Udoh

Zamalek XI: 1. El Shenawy, 3. Hamed, 7. Emam, 11. Soliman, 12. Hassan, 15. Yusuf, 17. Morsy, 19. Nouh, 20. ElShenawy, 22. Tolba, 25. Mossad

Read More

Enyimba fans storm Port Harcourt

The stage is set for today's CAF champions league match between Enyimba and Zamalek. The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium is set and fans of Nigeria only representative Enyimba trooped into the stadium after 15 coaster buses was made available.

Immediately they entered the stadium, the atmosphere became super charged. About ten coaster buses conveyed the team fans from Aba to Port Harcourt. 

Enyimba are playing in Port Harcourt due to renovation work going on at their stadium in Aba. Enyimba usually get a full house in Aba which has a capacity of 25,000. 

Enyimba are targeting a third champions league trophy after wining in 2003 and 2004.

Kickoff time for this game is 4pm and soccer120.com will bring you live coverage of the encounter. 

Supporters praying

Read More

Match Preview; Enyimba vs Zamalek

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.

Read More