It is the decisive weekend for Nigerian teams on the continent, as the second legs of the first preliminary round fixtures will be played across Africa.
NPFL champions Rangers International and Rivers United are Nigeria’s flagbearers in Africa’s elite competition, the CAF Champions League, while Elkanemi Warriors, Nigerian cup champions, and Shooting Stars are campaigning in the CAF Confederation Cup.
It was not all smooth sailing last weekend as both Rivers United and Rangers played out stalemates in their ties against Ivorian and Béninoise opposition, respectively. As for Elkanemi and Shooting Stars, they got wins, with the former being the most impressive among the lot.
Interestingly, it is not all said and done when it comes to African football, with plenty to play for in the second leg of matches starting from Friday where Rangers are in Togo to face Benin champions AS Sobemap. Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has called on his boys to fight for the result, and it remains to be seen whether they can turn things around to reach the next stage of the competition.
In Uyo, Rivers United, having taken a draw and an away goal from the first leg last weekend, will host FC San Pedro at the Godswill Akpabibo International Stadium on Sunday. Finidi George’s side featured in the group stage of the continent’s biggest competition last season, and they look on course to match that feat.
All things being equal, they should progress and reach the next stage of the competition, where they will face the winners of the Vipers SC (Uganda) vs FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) fixture.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Elkanemi Warriors have a handsome lead to take to Guinea-Bissau for the second leg against UDIB. The Borno Army were quite rusty in that game in Ikenne, but they managed to cruise to a win, and it is expected that they will build on that lead when they file out for the second installment.
Shooting Stars, in their first outing on the continent in 27 years, defeated former CAFCC winners CS Sfaxien in the first leg. With the second leg set to be played behind closed doors in Sfax, the Oluyole Warriors will be hoping to capitalize on the opportunity to reach the next stage of the competition.
FIXTURES IN FULL (Nigerian time)
CAF Champions League
Friday
AS Sobemap v Rangers – 3pm
Sunday
Rivers United v FC San Pedro – 4pm
CAF Confederation Cup
Sunday
UDIB v Elkanemi Warriors – 5pm
CS Sfaxien v Shooting Stars – 6pm
