Nigerian Professional Football League Clubs, Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars kicked off their CAF Champions League qualifying campaigns with victories on Sunday.
Enugu Rangers secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Zilimadjou of the Comoros, thanks to a goal from Frank Uwumiro midway through the first half. The match, played in Uyo, Nigeria, was technically an ‘away’ fixture for Enugu after Zilimadjou forfeited home advantage due to the lack of an international-standard stadium in the Comoros. Both legs of the tie will be held in Uyo. Enugu Rangers, who won the now-defunct African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, strive to emulate Enyimba, the only Nigerian club to win the CAF Champions League, with back-to-back titles.
Meanwhile, Remo Stars overcame a second-half setback to defeat former African champions, FAR Rabat of Morocco 2-1 in Ikenne. Nduku Junior put Remo ahead in the first half, but Joel Beya equalized for FAR Rabat six minutes after halftime. Ismaila Sodiq restored Remo’s lead in the 66th minute, and the Nigerian club held on to set up an intriguing return leg on August 25 in Rabat, Morocco.
Egyptian clubs, led by 12-time champions Al Ahly, have dominated the Champions League with 18 titles. Pyramids FC, also from Cairo, signaled their intent this season by thrashing JKU of Zanzibar 6-0, with Mohanad Lasheen scoring twice. Al Ahly, who received a bye into the second round, will face either Merreikh Bentiu of South Sudan or Gor Mahia of Kenya in September. Bentiu took a surprise 1-0 lead over Gor Mahia in Juba, courtesy of a second-half goal from Mohammed Musa.
Elsewhere, Orlando Pirates, the first South African club to win the Champions League, played out a 0-0 draw against debutants Disciples of Madagascar. Ghanaian newcomers Samartex are in a strong position to reach the second qualifying round after Emmanuel Mamah’s goal just after halftime secured a 1-0 away win over Victoria United of Cameroon.
