2024/25 CAF Inter-Club C’Ships: Rangers Out of CL; Enyimba FC Sneak Into Group Phase of CC
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
The poor run and recent struggles of Nigerian sides, in two of CAF’s Inter-Club Championships, appears to have no end in sight, as only one of the four teams, that entered the two championships, Enyimba FC of Aba, were able to make it to the lucrative group phase.
Two sides, reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu and record nine-time NPFL Champions, were up for places in the two competitions, at the final hurdle; the second preliminary round, otherwise called the play-off round, for places in the group phase.
Sadly, Rangers Int’l crashed out with a 2-3 aggregate defeat, handed them by the vice-champions of Angola, Sagrada Esperança; who were beaten 1-0 in Uyo, but were imperious in a 3-1 home victory over the Flying Antelopes, for a 3-2 aggregate win, and passage to the group phase.
The ouster of Rangers means, they have failed at the same hurdle, where teams like Enyimba, Remo Stars, Plateau United and Rivers United had faltered, and for the third straight season, there will be no NPFL club, playing in the group phase of the elitist Champions League.
The only cheering news in all of this, emanates from Aba, the home of former two-time African Champions, lived up to their reputation by limping into the group phase of the Confederation Cup, after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory, over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso, on Sunday.
With the first leg played in neighbouring Bamako (capital of Mali) ended in a goalless draw; the People’s Elephant now under the Chairmanship of Super Eagles and Arsenal FC Legend, Nwankwo Kanu, was highly favored to wrap-up qualification at home; having learnt bitter lessons, from failing to reach the group stage, last season.
But it ended in another barren draw in Aba, and a goalless 180 minutes on aggregate, before Enyimba FC won the shootout that ensued 3-2, to take their place in the draws for the Pool games, of the two Inter-Club championships, billed for as early as today (Monday).
While Enyimba FC bears the banner of Nigeria, on the continent for the rest of the season; Enugu Rangers FC will have to return home, to continue with their defence of the title, they won last season.
Having drawn their season opener to the 2024 Nigeria Federation Cup winners, Elkanemi Warriors of Maidugiri at the “Cathedral” in Enugu; Rangers will be home again on Wednesday to Bayelsa United of Yenagoa.
Nigeria’s other side, in the 202425 CAF Champions League, Remo Stars of Ikenne failed to make it pass the very first hurdle, when losing 2-3 on aggregate to Moroccan Army team, FAR Rabat; whilst Elkanemi Warriors, got dumped out of the second tier Confederation Cup after the first preliminary round.
