Enyimba thrashed in Cairo by Pyramids, on brink of CAF Confederation Cup exit

Enyimba were well beaten at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo by Egyptian side Pyramids FC in their CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals first leg on Sunday. The match ended 4-1 after a second half blitz from the home side.

Enyimba came into the game on the back of a three game winless run in the league and were missing the presence of key players Anayo Iwuala, Stanley Okorom, Imoh Obot, and Nabil Yarou for their trip to Cairo. The People’s Elephant however had the best possible start to the game when Victor Mbaoma robbed the Pyramids goalkeeper of possession inside the first minute of the match to open the scoring for Enyimba. The lead lasted just 14 minutes before former Stoke City and Huddersfield Town midfielder Ramadan Sobhi equalised for the home side. The teams went into halftime level. The second half started with a defensive error which was expertly capitalised upon by Farouk Salama after just 4 minutes as he made it 2-1. Ibrahim Adel Hassan benefitted from some more Enyimba defensive acts of generosity as he scored twice, first in the 58th minute and then in the 67th minute to make it 4-1, completing an important first leg win for Pyramids FC.

Enyimba must now win 3-0 when the Egyptian side comes to the Enyimba International Stadium next Sunday or risk the ignominy of another futile campaign on the continental stage. The People’s Elephant have an away goal which may prove to be key, but need an improved performance in the second leg against last season’s beaten finalists.