Nigeria’s Enyimba have been drawn in the CAF Confederation Cup Group A alongside Algeria’s Entente Sportive Setif, South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, and Libya’s Ahly Benghazi.
The Aba Elephants defeated fellow Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Rivers United on Sunday in the Garden City to land in the group stages of Africa’s second-tier club competitions.
Enyimba won 1-0 in Aba and lost by a similar scoreline at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt but prevailed 5-4 on penalties thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper John Noble.
The Elephants should expect tough opposition from Orlando Pirates in the race for who top Group A. The Sea Robbers defeated Botswana’s Galaxy home and away to record a 4-0 aggregate win.
Setif are also formidable foes who will fancy their chances of booking a qualification ticket at the expense of the Nigerians and South Africans.
The Black Eagles knocked out Asante Kotoko in the previous round, having beaten the Ghanaians 0-2 away from home before a 0-0 draw in Algeria sealed progression to the group stage.
Enyimba’s first challenge, though, is against Libya’s Al Ahli Benghazi and the Elephants would be fools to underrate a side that claimed the scalp of Motema Pembe to get to this stage.
Fatai Osho’s men will host Ahly Benghazi on March 10 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
