Agency Report –
Enyimba International FC of Aba was on Sunday eliminated from the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup, following its 3-1 loss to host Zamalek SC of Egypt.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defeat was Enyimba’s third in six games as the Peoples’ Elephant finished third with five points out of a possible 18.
The Stanley Eguma tutored-side had put themselves in a problematic spot, following their 1-1 draw at home against Al Masry in their previous match.
Indeed, Zamalek underlined their credentials with an impressive triumph over the Nigerian Professional League side in the match played at the Cairo International Stadium, to cement top spot in Group F with 14 points.
The Cairo-based club demonstrated their title ambition through goals from veteran midfielder Shikabala, who broke the deadlock in the 29th minute.
Seifeddine Jaziri’s second-half double in the 48th and 57th minute put the result beyond doubt.
Ihemekwele’s 63rd-minute response for Enyimba briefly threatened to spark a comeback, but Zamalek’s experienced squad managed the game’s closing stages professionally to secure their position as group winners.
In the group’s other fixture, a masterclass performance from Fakhreddine Youssef secured Egyptian side Al-Masry’s place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Black Bulls of Maputo.
The striker’s clinical hat-trick proved decisive as Al-Masry finished second in Group D with nine points, leaving their Mozambican opponents rooted to the bottom of the standings.
Youssef opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before doubling his tally just before half-time, giving the hosts a comfortable cushion at the interval.
He completed his treble shortly after the restart, effectively settling the contest by the 47th minute.
Black Bulls showed brief resistance when Rume Akporoh pulled one back in the 57th minute, but it proved merely a consolation as Al-Masry controlled proceedings to secure their knockout stage berth
The results mean both Egyptian clubs advance to the quarter-finals with momentum, suggesting the nation’s dominance in African club competitions could continue into the knockout phases.
For Enyimba and Black Bulls, elimination marks the end of their continental campaigns, with both clubs now forced to reflect on what might have been as they turn their attention to domestic matters.
The quarter-final draw will determine whether an all-Egyptian clash could materialise in the later stages, as both Al-Masry and Zamalek eye deeper runs in the competition.
