CAF CONFED CUP: Enyimba, Rangers Progress to Group Stage

Nigeria’s representatives in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba FC and Enugu Rangers yesterday qualified for the group stage of the second tier Confederation of African Football, CAF, clubs competition.
Two African champions, Enyimba FC did the double over South Africa’s TS Galaxy as they won their match 2-1 at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa to reach the group stage on 4-1 aggregate.

‘The people’s elephants’ had beaten their opponents 2-0 in Aba in the first leg of the Confederation Cup playoff.

Defender Daniel Darkwah and Martins Usule scored a goal each to hand Enyimba the well deserved victory. Although Enyimba who dropped down to the Confederation Cup from the Champions League qualified for the group stage in style, Enugu Rangers laboured to qualify.

Chinonso Eziekwe’s goal in the 18th minute was enough for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ to squeeze into the group stage on away goal.

Enugu Rangers had managed to score a goal against ASC Kara in the first leg of the playoff last weekend in Lome.
Rangers who failed to convert most of the chances they created in the second half left their fans in perpetual fear of what may happen before the end of the tie.

It will be recalled that Rangers reached the group stage of the Confederation Cup last year where they were pitched with north African giants, Etoile du Sahel, CS Sfaxien and Sallitas of Burkina Faso.

By Olamide Oyetunji