Enyimba’s chances in the African Football League dim after losing 0-1 to Wydad in Uyo

The chance of former Africa champion Enyimba International of Aba in the African Football League looks bleak after the loss of the first-leg match 0-1 to Wydad Casablanca at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.

They now have to win in Morocco next weekend to get through to the semi-finals.

The only goal of the match came from a first-half penalty, with Yahya Jabrane expertly converting from the spot past Enyimba captain and goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke, in the 39th minute.

Coach Finidi George was back on the bench after national team duties with the Super Eagles and he started a strong 11, which included breakout Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga.

Enyimba created some chances, but they were tepid in the final third and rushed their chances when they came.

 In the other African Football League duels, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundown had an away win beating Petro Luanda 0-2 in Luanda in Angola.

Another tense affair was recorded at the Benjamin Mkwapa National Stadium in Dar er Salaam, Tanzania, as TP Mazembe registered a hard-fought 1 – 0 victory over Esperance on Sunday afternoon.

A bullet header by teenage sensation, Cheick Oumar Fofana in the 11th minute of the opening half was enough to see the DR Congo giants register a slender lead ahead of next week’s trip to Tunisia.

As expected, it was the Lubumbashi side who imposed themselves in the opening minutes with the hope of unsettling the Tunisian giants who approached with caution, aiming to catch their opponents on the break.

It was however the visitors who had a first clear chance at goal after a pin-point cross into the danger area found an unmarked Oussama Bouguerra, who composed himself to unleash a volley that found an alert Baggio Siadi, who did well to make the important save.

 Minutes later, Mazembe were rewarded for their relentless attack after Phillipe Kinzumbi’s delightful ball found the 19-year-old Fofana who towered above his markers to head home the all-important goal.

Mazembe were unlucky not to double the lead just minutes into the second half as Boubacar Hainikoye fired a fierce volley from the edge of the box for Amanallah Memmiche to tip it over the bar to the relief of the Tunisians.

With minutes left on the clock, the troublesome Kinzumbi, who was a threat throughout the match saw his well-taken for being saved by the Memmiche after pouncing on a loose ball from miscommunication in the Esperance defense for the acrobatic shot-stopper come to the rescue once again for his side and keep the two-legged contest alive ahead of the return leg.

The Central African giants take the slender lead to Tunis in what promises to be an even tougher battle up north when the two sides meet again on Wednesday, 25 October.