By Mark Ogagan
Nigeria’s Enyimba kicked off their CAF Confederation Cup campaign on a wrong footing on Wednesday night, going down 0-2 to Egyptian side Al Masry
Al Masry delivered a dominant performance that saw them overpowering the two-time African Champions in a Group D fixture decided at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Mahmoud Hamada was the hero, netting twice, including a composed finish in the 5th minute.
Enyimba’s attack, led by Ismael Saraki, struggled to break through Al Masry’s solid defensive line, and were never really a threat to the hosts’ backline.
Defending champions Zamalek face Mozambique’s Black Bulls in the group’s other fixture later on Thursday.
In other matches also played on Wednesday, visiting Algerian side CS Constantine pulled off a late upset against Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien with Brahim Dib scoring the decisive goal in the 81st minute.
The forward’s clinical finish, following Mohamed Benchaira’s through ball, silenced the home crowd at the Stade Olympique Hammadi-Agrebi.
Despite their dominance in possession, Sfaxien failed to convert their chances, with Hazem Haj Hassen missing a crucial header in the dying minutes.
Earlier in the day, Simba SC from Tanzania edged Angola’s Bravos do Maquis 1-0 in Dar es Salaam. Jean Ahoua’s penalty in the 27th minute was enough to secure three points for the Tanzanian giants.
The win sees Simba top Group A, with Constantine trailing on goal difference.
In a Group B fixture in Bamako, Stade Malien started their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over South African newcomers Stellenbosch FC.
Haman Mandjan’s stunning strike in the 15th minute opened the scoring, while Daouda Coulibaly sealed the win with a late penalty.
Stellenbosch’s defense struggled against Malien’s relentless attack, with key player Devin Titus conceding the penalty in stoppage time.
RS Berkane and CD Lunda Sul are set to clash later on Thursday, adding another layer of intrigue to this competitive group.
Group C kicked off at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, as ASEC Mimosas displayed their intent with a commanding 2-0 win over ASC Jaraaf of Senegal.
Razack Cissé and Kankonde Tshisungu found the back of the net, with the latter’s header in the 71st minute leaving Jaraaf’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
ASEC leads the group with three points, while Jaraaf will need to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
USM Alger hosts Orapa United later tonight, marking the debut of the Botswana side in the group stages.
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