CAF Inter-Club Competitions: Nigerian clubs record mixed results in preliminary round

Nigeria’s four representatives in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup produced mixed results in the first legs of their preliminary-round ties, with two draws and two wins.

Rivers United secured the strongest away result in the Champions League, holding Côte d’Ivoire’s FC San Pedro to a 1-1 draw in Abidjan on Saturday. Dosso L put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute, but substitute Iyowuna Douglas equalized 14 minutes later. Douglas had entered the match only three minutes before scoring from inside the box after Alex Oyowah set up the move. Rivers United will play the second leg in Uyo on Sept. 13.

Rangers International also drew 1-1, against Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap in Abeokuta. Chidozie gave the Nigerian champions the lead in the 32nd minute, but Sobemap fought back. Rangers will travel to Benin for the return match, where a win or a scoring draw would put them in a strong position to reach the second preliminary round.

In the Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars beat Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien 1-0 at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Lucky Emmanuel scored in the 25th minute, and the hosts held on despite increased pressure from Sfaxien after halftime. The return in Tunisia will test their ability to protect the narrow advantage.

El-Kanemi Warriors claimed the most convincing result, beating Guinea-Bissau’s UDIB 3-0 in Ikenne. Nnamdi Mejuobi scored in the 52nd minute and converted a penalty four minutes later, before Dayo Wahab added a third in the 88th. Nigeria Football Federation Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme welcomed the results and urged the clubs to remain focused before their return legs.

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We are happy for them as we monitored all the matches and noticed their efforts. We believe Shooting Stars have the quality to withstand anything CS Sfaxien may