The Sun News On-line

Enyimba would be facing their toughest opposition in this year’s CAF Champions League as they host Egypt’s Al Ahly in the semi-final first leg encounter in Aba today.
The Nigerian side are desperate to record an emphatic win against the Egyptians, who have remained unbeaten in the tournament this year.

It is widely believed that the match between the two teams could well determine the winners of this year’s tournament over the next weeks, even though they meet at the semi-final stage of the competition.

The two clubs, who between them have won four of the last five CAF Champions League titles, were overwhelming favourites to reach the final at the start of the group phase in June, but Enyimba finished runners-up in Group B behind Cameroon’s Coton Sport.

It means they host Al Ahly in today’s first leg of their semi-final tie in Aba in a match-up that both clubs would have rather avoided at this stage of the event.
The Egyptians remain on course for a record-breaking sixth CAF Champions League title, but will be alarmed that they have to play Enyimba at this stage.

It would be their first meeting since they shared the same group in 2005, when Enyimba were defending champions and Al Ahly beginning their quest to retain their reputation in Africa’s top club competition.
The Egyptians won both in Aba and at home to end Enyimba’s reign and went on to win the first of their back-to-back titles in the championship.

Though the Aba Millionaires have been miserable in their away matches in the tournament this season, their awesome striking prowess, especially at home, is enough to intimidate visiting teams.
The striking duo of Stephen Nworgu and Eze Otorogu have been in superlative form for the 2003, 2004 champions, especially Nworgu, who is currently the tournament’s highest goalscorer having scored 14 goals.

If Nworgu and Otorogu strike the perfect partnership, then Al Ahly could be in for a bashing. But with experienced international players like Angolan star, Flavio Armando, Egypt internationals, Mohammed Barakat and Abu Tereika, Enyimba would need more than the efforts of Nworgu and Otorogu to hold these rampaging Egyptians.

Al Ahly’s unbeaten run will make them marginal favourites for today’s match although it is likely the Egyptians will be more than satisfied with an away draw, given they host the second leg in Cairo.

Meanwhile, Enyimba’s confidence received a morale boost with a league win over Ocean Boys on Sunday and they have promised not to make any mistake with the Egyptians.