Nigerian teams had a mixed weekend on the continent as they began their journey to the group stage of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, aclsports.com reports.
Nigerian champions Rangers International and Rivers United are the country’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, while Shooting Stars and Federation Cup winners Elkanemi Warriors are featuring in the second tier of Africa’s foremost club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup.
Rangers failed to beat visitors AS Sobemap in the first leg of the first preliminary round tie played in Abeokuta on Sunday evening, while Rivers United secured a 1-1 away draw against FC San Pedro of Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Shooting Stars, who were playing on the continent for the first time in 27 years, secured a win over Tunisian side CS Sfaxien in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday. Emmanuel Lucky scored the game’s only goal, as Salisu Yusuf’s men secured a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg in Sfax.
In Ikenne, Elkanemi Warriors delivered a standout second-half performance to beat UDIB of Guinea-Bissau 3-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium. Former MFM forward Nnamdi Mejuobi grabbed a brace before Dayo Wahab fired home a late penalty to secure the comprehensive win.
Ahead of the second legs next weekend, Rivers United and Elkanemi Warriors are heavy favourites to progress, while Rangers have to step things up if they want to progress against their less fancied opposition. Shooting Stars, underdogs when the draws were made, will be hoping to build on the win.
All to play for next weekend.
