Enyimba FC head coach Stanley Eguma, is confident of securing qualification for the knockout stages of the CAF Confederations Cup, despite suffering a setback in their bid when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Al Masry on Sunday.
The Peoples Elephant face an uphill task of qualifying for the quarterfinals, after securing a hard-earned point at home to the Egyptian giants at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
Al Masry took an early lead in the eighth minute, before Enyimba equalized two minutes into the second half through striker Ifeanyi Ihemekwele. The Egyptian side missed the opportunity to take the lead when they lost a penalty kick later in the half.
“It’s not the end of the road. We still have the next game to play,” Eguma stated in a post-match interview.
“If Al Masry can come here and play the game of their lives, then we can go to Egypt, and who knows what the outcome of the other games will be. We are still optimistic, it is not over until it is over.”
The result puts the two-time African Champions in third place, one point behind their Egyptian opponent who are in second place.
The face a tough task in their final group game when they head to Egypt to face African powerhouse Zamalek who top the group, in their final group game needing a victory to secure a berth in the quarterfinals.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
