Nigerian interest in the CAF Champions League has ended early again after Enyimba fell 2-0 to Smouha in a second leg encounter in Alexandria on Sunday.
The Aba Elephants went into the match with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg but late goals saw the Egyptians progress to the second round of the competition.
Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas was a busy man in the first half as Smouha looked to get an early goal in their quest to overhaul the deficit.
Thomas kept out an effort from the edge of the area in the 17th minute while Smouha had a goal ruled out for offside by the referee three minutes later.
The Enyimba goalkeeper was on hand to deny Smouha with two saves in the closing five minutes of the half, as both teams went into the break goalless.
Enyimba finally was able to venture towards the Smouha goal just before the hour mark, but Kingsley Sokari saw his effort saved.
Sokari however received his marching order with 20 minutes to go as Enyimba’s resistance began to fade off in the closing stages.
A dramatic close to the match ensured Smouha went through, with the Egyptian side converting an 80th minute penalty before adding a second a minute into stoppage time.