Nigerian clubs shine in Africa: Rangers and Enyimba take crucial steps in CAF competitions

Rangers International and Enyimba FC have delivered impressive performances in their respective CAF competitions, keeping Nigeria’s hopes alive on the continental stage.

In the CAF Champions League, Rangers took a significant step toward the group stage with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca.

The first-leg match, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saw a moment of brilliance from 18-year-old Kazeem Ogunleye, who scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute. Ogunleye, a former Plateau United player, unleashed a powerful long-range strike from outside the box, securing his first continental goal and giving Rangers the crucial advantage.

The Nigerian champions entered the game full of confidence, having previously navigated past Comoros’ US Zilimadjou in the earlier round.

However, Sagrada Esperanca, Angola’s reigning champions, proved a tough opponent, frustrating Rangers’ attack for much of the match. Despite their strong form, having dominated Seychelles’ St Louis Suns United with a 4-0 aggregate win in the previous round, Sagrada could not stop Ogunleye’s moment of brilliance.

Rangers now carry a slim 1-0 lead into the second leg, which will take place on Sunday, September 22, at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola.

The aggregate winner will secure a coveted spot in the CAF Champions League group stage, an accomplishment Rangers are determined to achieve as they remain Nigeria’s sole representative in the competition after Remo Stars’ early exit.

Meanwhile, Enyimba FC, Nigeria’s most successful club in continental competitions, also took a crucial step toward the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The People’s Elephant held Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the second preliminary round. The match was played in Bamako, Mali, due to the lack of a suitable stadium in Burkina Faso.

Enyimba, two-time CAF Champions League winners, demonstrated resilience and defensive discipline to secure a vital away draw.

The result gives them a significant advantage going into the second leg, which will be played next weekend in Uyo, Nigeria. A win in that encounter will secure Enyimba’s place in the group stage of the competition, a feat they last achieved in 2016.