Stanley Dimgba scored a perfect hat-trick and Victor Mbaoma also found the net as Enyimba kept their hopes alive to qualify for Confederation Cup quarter-final with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paradou.
The Nigerians’ hopes of qualifying from Group D had suffered a slight setback after losing 1-0 in the first leg.
However, the two-time African champions fired from all cylinders and put four past their Algerian opponents inside the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Enugu Rangers, another Nigerian representative at the Confederations Cup now find themselves in a tight situation
Following a lackluster draw against FC Nouadhibou, the Nigerian side must win their remaining group games or kiss the competition goodbye
Pyramids FC have become the first team to secure qualification for the final eight of the CAF Confederation Cup following the fourth round of group stage matches played on Sunday 12 January.
Group B has become a three-way battle between RS Berkane, Motema Pembe and Zanaco. The first two teams are tied at the top on seven points after Motema claimed a 1-0 win over RSB in Kinshasa
while Zanaco are just a point further back after a brace from Rodgers Kola inspired a 3-0 home win over ESAE in Lusaka.
In Group D, Enyimba put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the quarterfinals with a thumping 4-1 home win over Paradou in Aba, featuring a hat-trick from Stanley Dimgba, while Hassania Agadir have moved to the verge of qualification following a 3-0 home win over San Pedro in which Karim El Berkaoui netted a treble of his own.
Group A has seen Egypt’s Pyramids secure qualification after they beat compatriot club Al Masry 2-0 in Cairo to rack up a fourth straight win. Masry, though, remain well placed in second spot with a four-point lead over Enugu Rangers and Nouadhibou, who could only draw 1-1 in their clash in Nigeria.
In Group C, Libya’s Al Nasr revived their hopes of advancing with a 2-1 home win over South African club Bidvest Wits. North African side move to five points (level in second with Djoliba) and leave the Clever Boys on two points at the bottom of the standings. Horoya remain top on eight points following their 0-0 draw in Bamako.
The Confederation Cup will resume with the penultimate round of group stage matches on Sunday 26 January.
CAF Confederation Cup results, Sunday 12 January
Enyimba 4-1 Paradou
Motemba Pembe 1-0 Berkane
Zanaco 3-0 ESAE
Al Nasr 2-1 Bidvest Wits
Enugu Rangers 1-1 Nouadhibou
Pyramids 2-0 Al Masry
Djoliba 0-0 Horoya
Hassania Agadir 3-0 San Pedro