Nigerian clubs Rangers and Enyimba are on the march again in continental competitions, with the opportunity to secure spots in the group stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
The two representatives are one leg into the group stages but know they have their work cut out because of the peculiar nature of the second leg fixtures.
Rangers aim for Champions League group stage
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers, are in Luanda for the second leg of their CAF Champions League tie against Angolan side, Sagrada Esperança.
In the first leg, Rangers secured a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Kazeem Ogunleye’s second-half goal, setting the stage for a potentially explosive second leg.
Rangers remain Nigeria’s sole representative in the CAF Champions League after Remo Stars were knocked out by Moroccan side FUS Rabat in the preliminary round.
The Enugu-based team will be looking to build on their slim advantage in Luanda, as they aim to qualify for the prestigious group stage of the competition.
Rangers captain, Chinaemerem Ugwueze, expressed his confidence ahead of the crucial match.
“We are very much prepared as we have had intensive training. I think we are good to go for victory,” Ugwueze said.
“It’s going to be a pressure game because Sagrada is a good side. Although we only won 1-0 in the first leg, we are still positive about what we can achieve.”
To reach this stage, Rangers overcame Comorian side US Zilimadjou 2-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round.
Enyimba ready to seal progress in Uyo in CAF Confederations Cup
Enyimba, Nigeria’s most successful club on the continent, are set to host Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante de Ouagadougou in Uyo this Sunday for the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie.
The first leg, held in Bamako, Mali, ended in a goalless draw, with Enyimba feeling they could have secured a win.
Coach Olanrewaju Daniel remains focused on the task ahead. “I have told the boys what is at stake for them, the club, and the NPFL,” Daniel said.
“They have to get to the group stage to compete with the best in Africa. Hopefully, we get the job done as we desire. We know it will be tough, but we are ready for the challenge.”
Enyimba were drawn a bye in the preliminary round, and a victory in Uyo will see them advance to the lucrative group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Both Nigerian sides are just one step away from joining Africa’s elite, and a successful weekend could see them flying the flag high for the NPFL on the continental stage.
