Nigeria's football clubs had mixed results in the CAF inter-club competitions on Sunday. Rivers United and Shooting Stars were eliminated, while El-Kanemi Warriors moved to the second round of the Confederation Cup.
El-Kanemi faced a tough match in Bissau. They lost 1-0 to UDIB but advanced 3-1 on aggregate. They had won the first leg 3-0 last weekend.
The Maiduguri-based club will now take on Moroccan team Raja Casablanca in the second round. The first leg is set for the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne between October 16 and 18. The return match will be in Casablanca from October 23 to 25.
The winner will move on to the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
Shooting Stars Exit
Shooting Stars had a disappointing end to their campaign. They lost 2-0 to CS Sfaxien in Tunisia. The Oluyole Warriors had a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Abeokuta, but the Tunisian team scored twice to win 2-1 on aggregate.
This loss marks the end of Shooting Stars’ return to international football after over twenty years.
Rivers United Out
Rivers United also could not move forward in the Champions League. They drew 2-2 with San Pedro from Côte d'Ivoire in Uyo. Finidi George's team fell behind by two goals but managed to level the score at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Unfortunately, their comeback was not enough. The tie ended 3-3 on aggregate after the first leg ended 1-1 in Côte d'Ivoire. San Pedro advanced based on away goals.
This result stops Rivers United from returning to the Champions League group stage after they reached that stage last season.
Rangers Progress
Nigeria's other Champions League representative, Rangers International, made it to the second preliminary round. They beat Beninese team Sobemap FC 5-4 on penalties in Lomé on Friday.
The second leg ended 1-1 after regular time, making the aggregate score 2-2. Rangers kept their cool in the shootout to advance. They will now face Algerian team MC Alger in the next round.
With two Nigerian clubs out of the competition, El-Kanemi and Rangers now carry Nigeria's hopes in the CAF tournaments.
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