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Enyimba International FC’s 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup campaign came to a disappointing end on Sunday, following a 3-1 loss to Zamalek SC of Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium.
The defeat marked Enyimba’s third in six group-stage matches, leaving the Nigerian Professional Football League champions third in Group F with just five points out of a possible 18. The loss highlighted the challenges faced by the Stanley Eguma-led side in what proved to be a difficult campaign.
Match Recap
Zamalek, already group leaders, showcased their dominance with an impressive performance. Veteran midfielder Shikabala opened the scoring in the 29th minute, setting the tone for the Egyptian side.
Seifeddine Jaziri’s clinical second-half brace, scored in the 48th and 57th minutes, effectively sealed the game. Though Enyimba’s Ihemekwele responded with a goal in the 63rd minute, sparking brief hopes of a comeback, Zamalek’s experienced squad expertly managed the remainder of the game to secure their position as group winners with 14 points.
Al-Masry Secure Second Spot
In the group’s other decisive match, Al-Masry triumphed 3-1 over Mozambique’s Black Bulls of Maputo. Striker Fakhreddine Youssef delivered a stellar performance, scoring a hat-trick that propelled the Egyptian side to second place in the group with nine points.
Youssef opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and added a second just before halftime, giving Al-Masry a comfortable 2-0 lead. He completed his treble early in the second half, all but ensuring victory by the 47th minute.
Although Black Bulls briefly rallied with a goal from Rume Akporoh in the 57th minute, it proved insufficient to mount a serious comeback as Al-Masry controlled the game to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
What’s Next?
The results see Zamalek and Al-Masry advancing to the quarter-finals, underscoring Egypt’s strong presence in African club football. Both teams will look to maintain their momentum in the knockout stages, with the potential for an all-Egyptian clash looming depending on the quarter-final draw.
For Enyimba, the early exit marks a bitter end to their continental campaign. The team’s struggles, including a costly home draw against Al-Masry in their previous match, highlight areas needing improvement as they shift focus back to domestic competitions.
Similarly, Black Bulls of Maputo will also return to domestic action after finishing bottom of the group standings, reflecting on missed opportunities in the competition.
The quarter-final draw promises excitement as Africa’s top clubs continue their quest for continental glory, with Zamalek and Al-Masry well-positioned to make deep runs in the tournament.