Wydad Casablanca edged Enyimba 1-0 in the first leg of the African Football League quarter-finals at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
The Moroccan side scored from a penalty in the first half, with Yahya Jabrane sending Enyimba goalkeeper and captain, Ojo Olorunleke, the wrong way in the 39th minute.
Enyimba coach Finidi George, who returned from his national team assignment with the Super Eagles, fielded a strong line-up that featured Flying Eagles star Daniel Daga in midfield.
However, Enyimba struggled to create clear-cut chances and failed to trouble the Wydad defence.
Enyimba’s woes were compounded in stoppage time when Alalibo Somiari was sent off for a foul on Mountassir Lahtimi, after Chinedu Chilekwu lost possession.
The referee initially gave Somiari a yellow card, but changed it to a red after consulting the VAR.
Enyimba now face a daunting task in the second leg in Morocco on Wednesday.
They need to win by two goals or more to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
