Enyimba FC, the reigning Nigerian Champions, lost 4-3 to Al Ahli Benghazi on Sunday in the first leg of their 2023–2024 CAF Champions League preliminary round matchup.

The Peoples Elephants took the lead in the third minute thanks to a goal from Chijioke Mboama, but the advantage only lasted five minutes before the Libyans equalised.

Three minutes before halftime, left-back Imo Obot gave Al Ahli Benghazi a 2-1 lead after deflecting a cross into his own goal.

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More goals were scored in the second half, with Eze Ekwutoziam and Murphy Ndukwu tying the score at 3-3 before the hosts’ agonising stoppage time winner gave them a 4-3 victory in the first leg.

The team led by coach Finidi George will take heart from the tight loss and look to make up the deficit when the second leg is contested at Nest of Champions in Uyo in seven days.