Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers have booked their place in the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after overcoming Beninese side Sobemap FC 5-4 on penalties in a dramatic encounter in Lomé. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their first preliminary-round tie at the Stade de Kégué on Friday, leaving the aggregate score level at 2-2 after both legs. Rangers made a bright start and took the lead in the 22nd minute after Sobemap FC conceded an own goal. However, the hosts refused to give up and eventually found an equaliser with…
Author: Damilola Amuda (Goalgetter)
Rivers United have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw against San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The Port Harcourt-based side showed great character to fight back from a two-goal deficit, but their spirited comeback was ultimately not enough to secure progression to the next round. Finidi George’s men had entered the second leg with hopes of advancing after earning a valuable 1-1 draw against San Pedro in the first leg at the Laurent Pokou Stadium in Côte d’Ivoire a week earlier. With the two…
El-Kanemi Warriors have booked their place in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to UDIB of Guinea-Bissau in the second leg of their tie on Sunday night. The Maiduguri-based side progressed 3-1 on aggregate, thanks to their commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg at home. Although UDIB managed to secure a narrow win in Bissau, El-Kanemi’s strong first-leg performance was enough to see them through to the next stage. The Nigerian club now face a significantly tougher challenge, with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca standing between them and a place in the competition’s lucrative group…
CS Sfaxien produced a strong comeback on Sunday, defeating Nigeria’s Shooting Stars 2-0 in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round tie in Sfax. The Tunisian side overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory and book their place in the second preliminary round of the competition. Shooting Stars had claimed a memorable 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta a week earlier. The result marked an impressive return to continental football for the Nigerian club after a 27-year absence. However, CS Sfaxien quickly set about turning the…
From Turkey to England, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, the Super Eagles and Super Falcons stars produced notable performances, while some also reached significant milestones. Onuachu Ends Goal Drought in Turkey In Turkey, Paul Onuachu returned to the scoresheet in style, scoring twice in Trabzonspor’s emphatic 5-0 home victory over Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday. The Nigerian striker had gone five games without scoring in all competitions before the encounter, but he quickly put that drought behind him. Onuachu opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he rose high to head home a cross from…
Enugu Rangers were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against AS Sobemap of Benin Republic in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Sunday. The Nigerian champions made an energetic start to the encounter, taking control of possession and putting the visitors under sustained pressure during the opening stages. Their positive approach finally paid off in the 23rd minute when Iwundu Chidozie found the back of the net to give Rangers a deserved lead. With Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side firmly in control, Rangers created several opportunities to increase…
Rivers United made a solid start to their CAF Champions League campaign after battling hosts San Pedro to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their first preliminary round tie at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday. The Pride of Rivers showed resilience throughout an entertaining encounter, securing a valuable away result that leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return fixture. Both teams came out with attacking intent and created several promising opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. However, neither side could find the finishing touch as the game remained goalless at the break. San…
Shooting Stars made a memorable return to continental football on Saturday, edging Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round clash at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta. The victory marked a significant milestone for the Ibadan-based club, who were appearing in continental competition for the first time since 1999. Shooting Stars started the game brightly, taking control of the early exchanges and forcing CS Sfaxien to retreat deep into their own half. The hosts’ attacking pressure eventually paid off in the 26th minute when Lucky Emmanuel found the back of…
From goals and assists to impressive goalkeeping displays and notable debuts, Nigerian internationals were involved in the action in Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, England, France and Germany. Osimhen Shines Again for Galatasaray In Turkey, Victor Osimhen continued his blistering start to the season, scoring and providing an assist as Galatasaray secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Göztepe at RAMS Park on Saturday night. The Nigerian striker once again played a key role in the Yellow and Reds’ attacking display, taking his tally to five goals and two assists in just three league appearances this season. Iheanacho Stars in Bursaspor Comeback…
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) got off to an action-packed start, with defending champions Enugu Rangers forced to settle for a dramatic 1-1 draw against Katsina United. The Flying Antelopes looked destined to begin their title defence with defeat after Luis Dadong gave Katsina United the lead seven minutes before half-time. However, Rangers showed late resilience as Chibueze Oputa struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a valuable point for the champions. Enyimba Suffer Opening-Day Defeat Nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba endured a disappointing start to their campaign after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kontagora…