Enyimba to get N1.1 billion despite losing their two matches in African Football League
Two-time African champions, Enyimba International of Aba will get $900,00 as appearance fees despite crashing out of the inaugural edition of the Africa Football League following a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Wydad Athletic Club on Thursday.
If the Aba based club qualified for the semi-final they would been paid $1.7 million, while playing in the final guarantees $2.5 million. The winner will go home with $4 million.
Moroccan football club Wydad AC and Tunisia football stars Esperance and both through to the semi-finals of the new African Football League and are set to meet having defeated Enyimba and TP Mazembe respectfully.
Ayoub El Amloud opened the scoring for Wydad in the fourth minute, with an assist from Yahya Jabrane.
In minute 38, Jamal Harkass put a second goal in the back of the net from a rebound, after his initial header was saved by goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo. In minute 43, Yahya Attiat Allah scored Wydad’s third goal of the match from a cross by Hicham Boussefiane.
Despite their big lead, Wydad continued to attack and pressure Enyimba’s defenses for the remainder of the game.
The Casablanca-based team had defeated their Nigerian opponents 0-1 away from home in the first leg on October 22, making the aggregate score 4-0 in the Moroccan team’s favor.
It was also a sweet story for Espérance who staged a second leg fightback to defeat TP Mazembe 3-0 and book their place in the AFL semi-finals.
Having lost the away first leg 1-0, the Tunisian giants roared back at home to overhaul Mazembe with goals from Ghaith Ouahabi, Oussama Bouguerra and Mohamed Amine Tougai sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Mazembe keeper Baggio Siadi was inspired early on, denying efforts from Rodrigues and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane to keep the tie goalless.
But Espérance's pressure finally told on the cusp of half-time when Ouahabi flicked in Houssem Teka's corner to level the tie.
Mazembe almost punctured the electric atmosphere soon after the break as Glody Likonza forced a save from Amanallah Memmiche.
Yet there was no stopping Espérance's second goal as Bouguerra converted Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's low cross on 76 minutes.
Tougai then headed into an empty net from Yanis Sassi's free-kick to put the result beyond doubt on 83 minutes.
Despite boasting several previous Champions League triumphs, Mazembe could not contain wave after wave of Espérance pressure.
It maintains Espérance's strong home record in African competitions which will be tested as they face Wydad in the semi-finals, and the Moroccan club will be hoping to make it to the final stage of the continental tournament.
The African Football League is a new continental tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. It is currently in its inaugural campaign.
Originally envisioned to include 24 elite teams from across Africa, the tournament was scaled down to only eight teams for the inaugural edition. It is planned to run alongside CAF’s other club competitions, the Champions League and Confederation Cup, and not replace them.
