Enyimba bundled out of maiden African Football League after Wydad Athletic humiliation

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Enyimba FC will no longer take any part in the maiden African Super League (AFL) after a 3-0 loss to Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca in the return leg of the quarter-final match on Thursday.

The first had saw the Nigerian champions bowed to a 1-0 defeat at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium no thanks to Yahya Jabrane’s penalty for the Moroccan side to silence the People’s Elephants.

The rescheduled tie came on the heels of Enyimba arrival in Morocco for the return leg 24 hours late abroad on the chartered flight which they suffered a late application for issuance of a landing permit by Moroccan Authorities.

As at 00.30 AM, the team returned to a hotel having spent 6 hours and 30 mins in the Chattered aircraft awaiting a landing permit from the Moroccan Authorities for it to take off on Wednesday before finally arriving.

The coach, Finidi George, and captain, Ojo Olorunleke during the pre-match press conference exuded confidence in getting a positive result in Casablanca but conceded three goals in the first half.

Ayoub El Amloud broke the deadlock for Wydad in the fourth minute of play.

In the 38th minute, Jamal Harkass doubled the lead for the host at the Mohamed V Sports Complex Casablanca.

With two minutes before the end of the first half, Yahia Attiyat Allah made it 3-0.

With no goals in the second half, Wydad sealed a 4-0 aggregate win and will face Esperance (Tunisia) in the semi-final.

The People’s Elephant will return home and focus on the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) with the pride of being the first Nigerian club to participate in the AFL.

Games against Niger Tornadoes, Kwara United, Kano Pillars, and Enyimba FC in the league will continue their title defence.