BY KINGSLEY EMMANUEL
Nigeria’s four representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions made a positive start to their continental campaigns at the weekend, with two clubs recording victories and the other two securing draws in their first-leg fixtures.
El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars won their CAF Confederation Cup matches, while Rivers United and Rangers International played out 1-1 draws in the Champions League.
El-Kanemi Warriors recorded the biggest win of the weekend, defeating Guinea-Bissau’s UDIB 3-0 in their Confederation Cup preliminary-round first leg.
The Maiduguri-based side put on a strong display at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, with all three goals coming after the break.
Nnamdi Mejuobi broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute before extending El-Kanemi’s lead from the penalty spot just four minutes later. Dayo Wahab sealed an emphatic victory in the 88th minute, giving the Warriors a three-goal advantage to take into the return fixture.
The victory will come as a major boost for El-Kanemi, who earned their place in the Confederation Cup after winning the Federation Cup. Despite suffering relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League following a difficult domestic season, the Maiduguri club showed impressive character on the continental stage.
Shooting Stars also gave Nigerian football supporters something to celebrate after securing a narrow 1-0 win over Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien. Lucky Emmanuel scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute to hand the Oluyole Warriors a slim but important advantage.
Sfaxien increased the pressure after the restart in search of an equaliser, forcing Shooting Stars to defend for long periods. However, the Ibadan side remained organised and disciplined to protect their lead and secure a crucial first-leg victory.
Meanwhile, Rivers United earned a valuable 1-1 draw away against FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire in the CAF Champions League, while Nigerian champions Rangers International were held to the same scoreline by AS Sobemap of Benin Republic.
Both Nigerian sides will now look to make home advantage count in the return legs.
Overall, it was an encouraging opening weekend for Nigeria, with all four representatives remaining unbeaten.
El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars will take their first-leg victories into their return matches, while Rivers United and Rangers International will need to secure wins in the second legs to strengthen their chances of advancing to the next round.
