Nigerian side Rangers International on Sunday recorded a shock 0-1 win over Egyptian side Pyramids in the Total CAF Confederation (TotalCAFCC) game in Cairo but Enyimba FC were held 1-1 in Aba by Hassania Agadir of Morocco.
With Pyramids already assured of a place in the quarter finals, Rangers who were nearing exit from the competition pulled off a shocking display to end their opponents’ 10-game unbeaten run at the prestigious Cairo International Stadium.
Striker Ifeanyi George scored the game’s only goal in the 73rd minute when he controlled Ugwu Uwadiegwu’s ball over the top before finishing from close range.
Rangers should really have scored in the 41st minute but midfielder Chiamaka Madu inexplicably hit the cross bar after intercepting a back pass to Pyramids goalkeeper Mahdi Soliman. Salisu Yusuf’s men held on for the win though it mattered little in the end as they exit the competition after Al Masry defeated Nouadhibou 1-0 in the group’s other game.
In Aba, Enyimba needed maximum points to move closer to qualification but they made the worst possible start after Yousef Alfahli punished a lacklustre defending by the Nigerians to finish beyond goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
Midfielder Austine Oladapo equalised for Enyimba in the 16th minute with a goal he made and scored by himself. He intercepted a pass inside the Hassania Agadir half before scoring with a 30-yard effort.
Oladapo should also have had an assist to his name but winger Stanley Dimgba could only hit the post after latching onto the midfielder’s pass before rounding the goalkeeper in the 29th minute.
Enyimba dominated more in the second half and could have secured a winning goal but they were denied twice in quick succession by the frame of the goalpost. First, Samson Obi’s effort came off the foot of the post before Cyril Olisema latched the rebound against the cross bar.
Hassania Agadir have now qualified for the next round while Enyimba will need a win in their final game against FC San Pedro in Abidjan next weekend.
