Enyimba will have to blame disappointing finishing for going down 0-1 at home to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in an African Football League quarterfinal first leg on Sunday night.
Wydad captain Yahya Jabrane converted from the spot in the 39th minute after a mistake by the People’s Elephants’ goalkeeper and captain Olorunleke Ojo. It proved to be the only goal of the match.
Daniel Daga, who, at 16, became the youngest player to feature in this new tournament, and striker Joseph Atule had clear-cut chances to at least draw Enyimba level, but they failed to hit target.
In stoppage time, Enyimba defender Alalibo Orinate was sent off for a professional foul after the intervention of VAR.
The return leg will be played on Wednesday in Casablanca with the overall winners advancing to the semifinal of the inaugural competition against either TP Mazembe of DR Congo or Tunisia’s Espérance.
Other results
Sunday: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) 1-0 Espérance (Tunisia)
Saturday: Petro Atlético de Luanda 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Friday: Simba (Tanzania) 2-2 Al Ahly (Egypt)
1/4 finals 2nd leg:
Tuesday 24th October Al Ahly (Egypt) v Simba (Tanzania) (3 pm WAT), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) v Petro Atlético de Luanda (Angola) (6 pm WAT)
Wednesday 25th October (1/4 finals 2nd leg): Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) v Enyimba (Nigeria) (7 pm West African Time), Espérance (Tunisia) v TP Mazembe (DR Congo) (4 pm WAT)
