In an electrifying Group D encounter of the CAF Confederation Cup, Nigerian giants Enyimba showcased remarkable resilience to claw back from a two-goal deficit and secure a 2-2 draw against reigning champions Zamalek of Egypt on Sunday.
The Cairo-based side dominated the early proceedings of the match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Zamalek looked poised for victory after taking a commanding 2-0 lead within 40 minutes, courtesy of goals from Tunisian forward Seifeddine Jaziri and Omar Faraj. Their fluid attacking play left Enyimba struggling to find their rhythm in the first half.
However, the People’s Elephant found a lifeline just before the halftime whistle. In added time, Ifeanyi Ihemekwele displayed brilliant composure, lofting the ball over the advancing Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad to narrow the gap to 2-1.
Buoyed by their late first-half strike, Enyimba came out firing in the second half, putting the defending champions under sustained pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 57th minute when Chinedu Ufere’s shot took a deflection, wrong-footing the Zamalek defense and leveling the score at 2-2.
The result sees Zamalek climb to four points in Group D, following their 2-0 victory over Black Bulls of Mozambique on matchday one. Meanwhile, Enyimba earned their first point in the campaign after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Al Masry of Egypt in their opening fixture.
