El-Kanemi, 3SC shine as Nigerian clubs begin CAF campaigns

Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF inter-club competitions made a promising start to their continental campaigns at the weekend, with El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars recording victories in the Confederation Cup, while Champions League representatives Rivers United and Rangers International settled for draws in their respective first-leg fixtures.

El-Kanemi Warriors produced the most emphatic result among the four Nigerian clubs, securing a 3-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau’s UDIB, while Shooting Stars edged Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien 1-0. Blueprint reports

In the Champions League, Rivers United held FC San Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire to a 1-1 draw away from home, while Nigerian champions Rangers International were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Sobemap of Benin Republic.

With the return legs approaching, all four Nigerian clubs remain in contention for places in the next round.

CAF Confederation Cup

El-Kanemi put one foot in next round

El-Kanemi Warriors emerged as Nigeria’s biggest winners of the opening round after defeating UDIB of Guinea-Bissau 3-0 in the first leg of their Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie.

The Maiduguri-based club delivered a commanding performance at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, with all three goals coming in the second half.

Nnamdi Mejuobi opened the scoring in the 52nd minute before doubling El-Kanemi’s advantage from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Dayo Wahab then completed the scoring in the 88th minute to hand the Nigerian side a comfortable three-goal cushion going into the return fixture.

The victory represents a significant boost for El-Kanemi, who are representing Nigeria in the Confederation Cup after winning the Federation Cup.

The Maiduguri club endured a difficult domestic campaign that ended in relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League, but their continental outing provided a different picture as they produced an assured display against UDIB.

The three-goal advantage also puts the Warriors in a strong position to advance, although they must still negotiate the return fixture in Guinea-Bissau.

El-Kanemi will be particularly keen to avoid complacency, knowing that an early goal from UDIB could put pressure on the Nigerian side.

If they complete the job, the Warriors will advance to the next stage of the competition and continue Nigeria’s representation in Africa’s second-tier club competition.

Shooting Stars edge CS Sfaxien

Shooting Stars also began their Confederation Cup campaign with a victory after defeating Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien 1-0.

Lucky Emmanuel scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute to give the Oluyole Warriors a narrow advantage before the return fixture.

The Ibadan-based side were forced to defend their lead for significant periods after the break as the Tunisian visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Shooting Stars, however, remained disciplined and held on to secure a valuable first-leg victory.

Although the one-goal margin is not as comfortable as El-Kanemi’s three-goal advantage, the result gives Shooting Stars something to protect when they travel to Tunisia.

The encounter is particularly significant for the Nigerian club because it marks their return to continental football after 27 years.

Shooting Stars have a proud history in African football, having won the CAF Cup in 1992, and their return to the continental stage has generated considerable interest among their supporters.

The challenge now is to reproduce the defensive discipline displayed in the first leg while finding a way to contain what is expected to be a determined CS Sfaxien attack on home soil.

A draw would be enough to take Shooting Stars through, while any victory would further strengthen their position in the tie.

Nigeria’s Confederation Cup hopes

With both Nigerian representatives recording first-leg victories, the country has made a strong start in the Confederation Cup.

El-Kanemi’s 3-0 advantage gives them the clearest route to qualification, while Shooting Stars will have to negotiate a much tighter contest in Tunisia.

The two clubs will therefore carry different expectations into their return fixtures, but both have realistic opportunities to reach the next stage.

For El-Kanemi, the priority will be protecting their substantial advantage, while Shooting Stars must produce another disciplined performance against a more experienced continental opponent.