A rash challenge by Enyimba goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo led to a 1-0 loss for the Nigerian club against Moroccan visitors Wydad Casablanca on Sunday in the African Football League.

Captain Ojo fouled Ayoub el Amloud and Wydad skipper Yahya Jabrane converted the resulting 39th-minute penalty to settle the quarter-final first leg in the southeastern city of Uyo.

The half-time introduction of midfielder Ikenna Cooper helped former African champions Enyimba and they came close to equalising in the middle of the second half through 16-year-old Daniel Daga.

Enyimba were reduced to 10 men in added time when Alalibo Somiari committed a foul on Montasser Lahtimi as the last defender and an initial yellow card was upgraded to red after a VAR check.

Wydad host the return match on Wednesday and are firm favourites to win the tie and set up a semi-final showdown with TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Tunisian side Esperance.

Wydad have been outstanding performers in Africa for some time, reaching four of the last seven CAF Champions League finals and winning two.

Enyimba won back-to-back Champions League titles from 2003, but have not come close to claiming more African silverware and were eliminated in a preliminary qualifier this season.

Coach Finidi George, a 1995 UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax Amsterdam, faces a major challenge with his attackers, who had 20 attempts at goal but only one on target. (Channels TV)