NPFL sides Enugu Rangers and Enyimba took on their continental opponents earlier today. Rangers, the reigning NPFL champions, played at home against Sagrada Esperança of Angola in the first leg of the CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round. The Nigerian champions will head into the second leg with a 1-0 lead, thanks to an 80th-minute goal by substitute Kazeem Ogunleye. The 18-year-old midfielder struck a powerful shot from just outside the box, sending the ball flying into the opponent’s net.
The second leg of the knockout fixture will be played in Angola on September 22. This qualification stage will be followed by the lucrative group stage of the competition. Although Rangers had more ball possession, they were unlucky in front of goal, failing to convert their chances until Ogunleye broke the deadlock.
In other news, Enyimba Football Club faced Etoile Filante in the first-round, second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The game ended in a goalless draw, with neither side finding the back of the net. The result is crucial for the two-time African champions as they head into the second leg with a clean sheet and the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The second leg of the tie is scheduled for September 22.
