TOUGH HURDLES FOR ENYIMBA, SEEKS CONFEDERATION CUP

JOHANNESBURG: Enyimba must clear several hurdles if they hope to become the first Nigerian club to win the CAF Confederation Cup, after the knockout stage draws were made in Cairo Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The team from southeastern city Aba was paired with Horoya of Guinea in the quarterfinals, and the winners of the two-leg tie will probably face Pyramids of Egypt in the semifinals.

Horoya and Pyramids were the most impressive sides in the six- matchday group phase, finishing six and five points respectively ahead of the runners- up in their sections.

Enyimba are the most successful Nigerian club in African competitions with four titles — two each in the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup — but the last success came in 2005.

The Nigerian outfit failed to click in Group D until the final round last weekend when they traveled to the Ivory Coast and trounced San Pedro 5-2 with Victor Mbaoma scoring twice.

The victory margin was surprising as Enyimba had battled in previous away matches and scored just six goals in five other group games.

Dolphins came closest to bringing the Confederation Cup — the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League — to Nigeria by finishing runners-up to FAR Rabat of Morocco 15 years ago.

Holding Renaissance Berkane to a 1-1 draw in Morocco last Sunday will encourage Zanaco of Zambia, but it difficult to imagine the Lusaka bank club eliminating starstacked Pyramids.

In the other quarterfinals, Al Masry of Egypt face Berkane and Al Nasr of Libya meet Hassania Agadir with the two Moroccan clubs favored to advance.

Agadir were eliminated at the last- eight stage last season while Berkane got to the final, where they lost on penalties to Zamalek of Egypt.