The eight-match unbeaten run of Rangers International of Enugu in the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup was brought to an end on Sunday in Sousse, Tunisia where Etoile Sportive du Sahel defeated the Nigerian Cup champions 2-1.
Rangers took the lead in the fifteenth minute of the game through Bright Silas who finished expertly from just inside the box, a flick on by Michael Uchebo.
It was Silas’ fifth goal of this season’s campaign but while he thought his side would build on it, it rather brought out the best in their hosts.
After periods of sustained pressure, Iheb Msakni brought the game on level terms when he headed home a free kick in the 35th minute. Rangers continued to live dangerously with some incoherent pieces of defending added to what was sometimes atrocious refereeing calls in favour of the Tunisians.
It was however not a surprise when defender Saddam Ben Aziza scored what turned out to be the winner for Etoile in the 64th minute, once again after Rangers failed to clear their lines. The Nigerians, missing striker Bobby Clement who stood out in their last game against CS Sfaxien could not produce a response as Etoile claim their first win of the group stage.
Both Rangers and Etoile are now level on four points, one behind group leaders CS Sfaxien who were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by Salitas of Burkina Faso in the other group game on Sunday.
The next round of action in the Confederation Cup will hold next Sunday with the reverse fixtures of today’s games. In Enugu, Rangers will host Etoile du Sahel as they bid to reclaim top spot in Group B.
