Enyimba suffered a massive setback in their bid to make the knockout stage of the Confederation Cup after they fell to a narrow 1-0 loss at Al-Ahli Benghazi in their Group A clash on Thursday.

Muttasem El Taib’s goal in the first half goal was enough to throw the group open and leave the Aba Elephant’s hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals hanging by a thread.

The Nigerians had Timothy Danladi sent off in the 74th-minute to compound their woes.

Enyimba would have booked their place in the last-16 with a win but the defeat means they must now win their final game in the group and hope the result in the other match goes their way.

Enyimba had only arrived Algeria on Wednesday amid trouble raising funds for the trip and their showing on the pitch reflected the lack of coordination and organisation off it.

The loss leaves the two-time African champions third in Group A on six points, one behind Al-Ahli and three more behind leaders Orlando Pirates. ES Setif are bottom on five points meaning all four teams still have a chance of progressing heading into the final round of games on 28 April.

Fatai Osho’s side must now beat group leaders Orlando Pirates in Aba and hope Al-Ahli fail to beat ES Setif away from home to stand a chance of moving to the next round.