Enyimba International of Aba were beaten 4-3 in the first leg of the first round preliminary match of the CAF Champions League.
The two time African champions opened scoring in the third minute when Joseph Atule’s shot was parried by Louhichi into the path of Chijioke Mbaoma to tap in.
Al Ahly equalized in the eighth minute through Mufta Taktak’s header. Just before the break, the home side took the lead when Imo Obot scored an own goal.
Eze Ekwutoziam restored parity just before the hour mark but, Al Ahly restored their lead with 15 minutes to go through Taktak. Murphy Ndukwu made it 3-3 with five minutes to go only for the Libyans to score the goal that broke the camel’s back on the dot of stoppage time.
Enyimba will have to upturn this defeat in the second leg next weekend to qualify for the next round.
Nigeria’s other representative in the competition, Remo Stars lost by a lone goal to Ghanaian side Medeama. Jonathan Sowah’s long-range goal was all that separated both sides.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Bendel Insurance defeated ASO Chlef by a lone goal.
The return leg of all the matches will take place next weekend.
