Enyimba came from behind to rescue a point from Al Masry FC for a 1-1 draw in their CAF Confederations Cup Group D clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.
Ifeanyi Ihemekwele’s early strike in the second period proved the final goal of the game — and Enyimba’s only success in front of goal– as the home side battled to a point against the Egyptian side they fell to in the reverse fixture on matchday one of the group.
The People’s Elephants went on the attack from the first minute but were contained by their opponents who not only fashioned out the first opportunity in the third minute but eventually took an early lead in the eighth minute through Mohamed Hashem’s header from a corner kick for 1-0.
Stanley Eguma’s side was inches from an equalizer on 28 minutes but Ekene Awaziem’s shot went inches wide of goal. The Aba-based team went into the interval behind.
Enyimba eventually restored parity two minutes after the interval in a similar fashion to their opponents. Ihemekwele headed into the net from a corner kick delivery for 1-1 on 47 minutes.
Despite drawing level, Enyimba failed to press on afterward and it was Al Masry who made incursions towards goal but was denied by Ani Ozoemena, the goalkeeper who made a point-blank save to keep the scores level on 50 minutes.
Al Masry were awarded a penalty in 68 minutes when Divine Ukadike brought down Moshen Salah, but Mohammed Hamada saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Ozoemena, the CHAN Eagles shot-stopper.
Enyimba improved following the penalty save but they could not put away chances created by substitute Brown Ideye, Ihemekwele, and Uwana Asuquo.
Enyimba have amassed five points from five matches and are in third place, one point behind second-placed Al Masry going into the must-win final group game against Zamalek in Egypt on January 19 — for any chance of qualification into the knockout phase of the competition.