Good morning, Enyimba faithful!
It’s Monday, the dawn after a match that felt like a rollercoaster of emotions. Yesterday was do-or-die, must-win, and winner-takes-all against Al Masry in the CAF Confederations Cup. And yet, here we are, grappling with a bittersweet 1-1 draw that leaves our fate hanging by a thread.
We approached this match with confidence, buoyed by memories of our earlier mistakes in Ismailia—avoidable goals and a lack of belief. This time, we were determined to right those wrongs. Eguma kept faith in the same XI that edged out Nasarawa United midweek. While I don’t usually question a coach’s choices, one couldn’t help but wonder if injuries, which Eguma constantly referenced, forced his hand. The good news? Chidiebere Nnachi was back! Although, sadly, he only made the bench.
Barely had we settled into our seats when Hashemi struck. One moment of slack defending, and the ball was in the back of our net. Ozoemena in goal could do little as the unmarked Hashemi nodded in a cornerkick. Déjà vu—another avoidable goal against Al Masry, and we were chasing the game.
As expected, the Egyptians became more relaxed after taking the lead, while we scrambled to find rhythm. Passes went astray, touches were heavy, and our urgency bordered on desperation. It was frustrating to watch.
Halftime couldn’t come quickly enough, and it gave us the breather we needed. Just minutes after the restart, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele leveled the score with a fantastic header. The stands erupted, and for a moment, belief was rekindled. Brown Ideye’s introduction in the 58th minute added to the optimism.
However, football is never without its drama. Just past the hour mark, the referee pointed to the spot for Al Masry. Hearts sank, but Ani Ozoemena was the hero of the moment, pulling off a crucial penalty save. It felt like destiny was giving us a chance to rewrite the script.
We pushed hard, creating chances, but profligacy haunted us. Ideye, Ihemekwele, and even Uwana Asuquo all came close, yet we couldn’t find the winner. Al Masry held on for a 1-1 draw, leaving us with a mountain to climb.
Here’s the deal: Zamalek’s 3-1 victory over Black Bulls complicates things. To qualify, we need to beat Zamalek convincingly in Cairo (to fix our -2 goal difference) and hope Black Bulls either win or draw against Al Masry in Ismailia. Miracles happen in football, but let’s be honest—que sera sera.
We now have six days to prepare for Cairo, and every detail must be perfect. No logistical blunders, no excuses. It’s not over yet, but we’ll need a miracle reminiscent of the grit and belief that characterised our 2003 Champions League triumph in Ismailia to see us through.
The road ahead is steep, but we’ve climbed mountains before. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, Cairo holds something special for us.
Back tomorrow
‘EnyimbaEnyi
