Africa Football League: Enyimba Suffer Back-To-Back Defeats

The reigning champions of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), Enyimba, have ended their journey in the inaugural edition of the Africa Football League in a shambolic manner.

Enyimba were paired with the Moroccan team, Wydad Athletic Club in the quarter-final double header clash. To the dismay of the club’s fans, the Moroccan side defeated them home and away.

In the first leg of the tie in Akwa Ibom state, the two-time African champions failed to turnup as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of their Moroccan visitors.

On Thursday night, October 26, they were expected to bounce back by winning at least 2-0 to overturn the result of the first leg. Unfortunately, it ended worse than anticipated.

Ayoub El Amloud gave the Moroccan team the lead four minutes into the game. In the 38th minute, Jamal Harkass scored the second goal.

Yahia Attiyah Allah made it three in the 43rd minute, ending the game 3-0 against the Elephants of Aba.

Ilyes Chetti almost put the North Africans ahead 4-0 in the 72nd minute, but Ojo Olorunleke raced out of his line to deny the Moroccan the opportunity.

Olorunleke was called upon again in the 78th minute after making an amazing save to stop a header that was headed for goal.

Enyimba had additional cause for concern after Ezekiel Ngomere and Murphy Ndukwu went down in the 84th minute and required medical attention before being able to stand again.

Wydad dominated the game with 63% of the possession to Enyimba’s 37% as the NPFL reigning champions ended their dream of winning over 1.7 million dollars in the semi-final 4-0 on aggregate.

Coach Finidi George and his boys will return to Nigeria today with at least $900, 000 as the team’s participation allowance from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Due to the game in Morocco, their NPFL matchday five game against Remo Stars earlier scheduled for this weekend has been postponed indefinitely.