An injury-hit Enyimba suffered humiliation in Cairo without their talisman Anayo Iwuala following a 4-1 defeat to Pyramids FC in their CAFCC quarterfinal first leg on Sunday.
The People’s Elephant, who were without some key players like Samson Ebi, Sadiq Abubakar, and first choice fullbacks Stanley Okorom and Imo Obot, were second best from start to finish.
The two-time CAF Champions League winners took the lead as early as the first minute thanks to Victor Mbaoma, who punished goalkeeper Ahmed to put the Nigerians ahead.
However, Enyimba’s lead only last 14 minutes as Ramadan Sobhi equalised for the hosts to bring scores at 1-1 heading into the break.
Whatever their manager, Fatai Osho told them at half time, he shouldn’t have as the People’s Elephant returned a different and disjointed side given the manner they crumbled.
Two goals from Abdalla El-Said and Ibrahim Adel in the space of nine second-half minutes put the game beyond the viostors as the hosts completed a remarkable turnaround.
Just when you thought things would be better, they got even worse as Adel netted his second and Pyramids’ fourth of the game on 67 minutes for a 4-1.
It ended that way, which means Enyimba have now lost on all their six visits to Egypt, conceded 16 goals and scored just three times.
The second leg comes up next Sunday in Aba with Enyimba needing three goals (something they are yet to achieve this season) to progress to the semifinals.
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