Nigerian champions Enyimba bounced back from their opening loss in the group stage of the Total CAF Confederation Cup (TotalCAFCC) but their compatriots Rangers International were beaten for the second Sunday in a row.
Having lost 0-2 at Moroccan side Hassania Agadir a week ago, Enyimba recorded their first win of the group stage with a narrow 1-0 result over Ivorian side FC San Pedro at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
The Ivorians had the better of chances in the opening half and were made to pay for their profligacy in the second when Enyimba substitute Martins Usule volleyed home from close range in the 64th minute.
Usman Abd’Allah led Enyimba held on for the win, leaving the Ivorians with one point after two games and second from bottom in the Group D table.
In Egypt, Rangers International were thumped 4-2 by Al Masry in their second group game at the Alexandria Stadium.
Nigerian striker Austine Amutu gave Al Masry the lead in the 5th minute with a one time finish into the roof of the net before Ahmed Yasser doubled the lead in the 27th minute when his attempted cross looped over goalkeeper Opubo Japhet into the net.
Rangers played better from then on but were again undone by their early half lethargy when Muftah Taktak scored in the 3rd minute of the second half to make it 3-0. The hosts then extended the advantage seven minutes from time through a long range strike by Hassan Ali.
Rangers however got two goals that their efforts deserved in the dying moments; first Chinonso Eziekwe rose highest to head home Ibrahim Olawoyin’s corner in the 86th minute before Chidere Eze’s free kick sailed home in stoppage time.
The next round of matches will hold on the weekend of December 29.
Group A Results
Al Masry 4-2 Rangers International
Pyramids 6-0 FC Nouadhibou
Group D Results
Enyimba 1-0 FC San Pedro
Paradou AC 0-2 Hassania Agadir
