No time to lose
Ismaili might regret their surprising upset loss to Enyimba in the African Champions League.
Nashwa Abdel-Tawab looks at the consequences
A 4-2 victory over Egyptian champions Ismaili not only earned Enyimba of Nigeria a semi-final berth in the African Champions League but also ensured they get the less difficult fixture in the last four of the continent's richest club competition.
Favourites Esperance of Tunisia will face Group A runners-up Ismaili in the semi-finals while USM of Algeria will trade tackles with Group A winners Enyimba. The semi-final first legs will be held over the weekend of 31 October to 2 November, with the return games to be played two weeks later.
In the other Group A clash, a disappointing ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast picked up their only victory of the group phase when they beat hard-fighting Simba of Tanzania 4- 3 in Abidjan.
Giant killers Simba finished the championship with seven points while ASEC were left bottom of the group with four points.
Enyimba topped their four-team group with 12 points from six matches while Ismaili finished second with 11 points to be handed the more difficult of the two semi-finals.
The Nigerians, known as the Peoples Elephant and playing before a capacity crowd, had to come from a goal down against Ismaili. Ahmed El-Gammal struck for the Egyptians after 13 minutes before Ndidi Anumnu drew the host team level four minutes later. Benin Republic international forward Muri Ogunbiyi grabbed Enyimba's second goal after 25 minutes.
Striker Emeka Nwanna made it three for Enyimba on 79 minutes through a well-struck indirect free kick. Ismaili, who had thrashed the Nigerian team 6-1 in the corresponding tie two months ago, fought back late in the second period to score their second goal through Mohamed Mohsen Abu Greisha, who beat goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama from close range.
However, it was left to the lively Anumnu to calm the jangled nerves of the restive home fans when he dusted himself up after he was brought down inside the box in added time to score his second goal of the day.
Esperance beat USM Algiers in Tunis to confirm top spot in the Champions League Group B. Imed Ben Younes and Walid Azaiez scored early in the first half to seal the game.
Ben Younes' goal was something of a fluke, as visiting goalkeeper Mohamed Mezair thought his goalbound shot was heading wide and left it. That was after three minutes, and within a quarter of an hour Esperance were two up. Skander Skouyah bent in a free kick which deflected off Azaiez and past Mezair.
USM Algiers initially responded strongly, and Esperance's Ivorian goalkeeper Jean- Jacques Tizie made a string of fine saves in Al-Menzah stadium.
However, the second half was not much of a contest as both North African clubs eased off, knowing their places in the semi- finals of the $3 million competition were secure.
