Nigerian powerhouses Enyimba have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Egyptian giants Zamalek in a rescheduled Group B clash at the Petrosport Stadium in Cairo on Monday night.
With South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns having secured top spot in the three-team group with a game to spare, Zamalek and Enyimba met in what was effectively a quarterfinal.
The Egyptians came into the game with a notable advantage, both in hosting the clash and having beaten their Nigerian opponents 1-0 in Port Harcourt in the teams’ first group meeting back in June. This meant the White Knights only needed to avoid defeat to ensure progression.
In the end they went one better, with Bassem Morsi – the same scorer in Port Harcourt more than two months ago – once again haunting Enyimba by netting a 63rd-minute goal from the penalty spot.
The result sees Zamalek complete their Group B matches and finish with six points from four outings. Enyimba are bottom of the standings with zero points and will end their participation in the tournament with a home match against Sundowns next midweek.
The Egyptians are likely to face current Group A leaders Wydad Casablanca in the semifinals, which will be played over two legs in September.
Zamalek: Ahmed El-Shennawi, Ramzi Khaled, Ali Gabr, Eslam Gamal, Ahmed Tawfik, Maarouf Yussuf, Ibrahim Salah, Tarek Hamed, Mostafa Fathi (Mahmoud Shikabala 72’) , Ayman Hefni (Emmanuel Mayuka 85’), Bassem Morsi (Stanley Ohawuchi 78’)
Enyimba: Theophilus Afelokhai, Chinedu Udoji, Emma Anyanwu, Chima Akas, Dare Ojo, Kelly Kester, Femi Oladapo (Abu Azeez 59’) , Joseph Osadiaye, Nzube Anaezemba, Stephen Chukwude, Ifeanyi Onuigbo (Peter Onyekachi 81’)