The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAF Confederation Cup

  • Rangers crash out of CAF Confederation Cup

    Rangers International FC’s hope of advancing in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup was laid to rest on Sunday with a 0-1 defeat in Enugu by Club Sportive Sfaxien of Tunisia.

    Rangers paid for their wastefulness in front of the goal when Nassim Hnid of Sfaxien scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute.

    The Flying Antelopes missed a lot of chances in the first half and continued from where they stopped in the second 45 minutes.

    With the result, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia qualified with their neighbour. Etoile du Sahel also of Tunisia, with 12 and 10 points respectively.

    Rangers FC and Salitas FC of Burkina-Faso crashed out on five and four points respectively as Salitas lost their last match in the group by the same margin to Etoile in Tunisia.

    Read Also: We will stun Rangers – Roger Lemerre

    Speaking after the match, Rangers Coach, Olugbenga Ogunbote, said that his team lost to lack of concentration.

    “We have been having upper hand in an attempt to score and pushed them to their half; only to lose concentration on the free kick which gave them the victory.

    “It is unfortunate that we lost the match and we are going home to do more work as this showed us that we still have a lot of work to do.

    “Rangers have no other option at the moment than to accept defeat and go back to the league to fight for continental spot,’’ Ogunbote said.

    Sfaxien’s Coach, Ruud Krol, said that they knew from the beginning of the league that the road to success was difficult but they surmounted the group stage.

    “Today we played on Astro Turf and the temperature was high but I felt happy that we won and qualified to the next stage.

    “We knew that it was going to be difficult and the fact that we won Rangers at home did not mean that the match was not tough.

    “Rangers made it tough for us and I am happy that we came, saw and conquered. From here now, we are going to work hard for the quarter-final stage.

    NAN

     

  • CAF Confederation Cup: We won’t be complacent, Rangers’ Ajani insists

    After thumbing Salitas FC of Burkina Faso 2-0 in the first group tie of the CAF Confederation Cup, Rangers’ striker, Ibrahim Ajani believes they would not be carried away by the victory but remain humbled going into the next match away to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien on February 13.

    The victory shoots Rangers to the top of Group B after CS Sfaxien won the Tunisian El Clasico 1-0 against Etoile du Sahel in Sousse.

    Ajani, who featured in the entertaining encounter played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, told NationSport yesterday that they are aiming for another victory when they visit the Tunisian giant next week.

    “I must tell you that there is no pushover team in the group. Even though we won 2-0 but it was a hard fought win despite going ahead early into the encounter. We will continue to raise our game knowing well that the Tunisian side is always tactical in their approach. We will be hoping to repeat our home form away,” he said.

    The former Enyimba of Aba star described the win against the Burkinabe side as a good start for the team in the group. “I think we need the win being the first group match and this will surely motivate us going into the next game. When we play away against the Tunisian side, we will not be playing under any pressure because we were not considered as favourite because the North African sides were former champions and they are highly-rated in the continent,” he added.

    The Ogun State-born star admitted that the support from the management of Rangers has been the motivating factor for the team while hoping that the team would repay their support with good results. “Winning all our home matches are crucial to our qualification to the knockout stage and this I believe we can achieve with determination and support from the home fans. I am confident that team is poised to make the country proud in the championship,” Ajani opined.

  • Conf cup: Carra daze Enyimba in Brazzaville

     

    It was baptism of fire for Nigeria’s lone campaigners in the CAF Confederation cup Enyimba as they suffered a 3-0 defeat Wednesday in the hands of Club Athlétique Renaissance Aiglon Brazzaville popularly called Cara Brazzaville.

    The peoples Elephant who left the shores of the country Saturday on a high ahead of the battle of Brazzaville conceded three goals in less than 28 minutes.  The goal rain for the Carra began as early as the 14th minute when Racine Louamba reacted quickly to a rebound after a Dauda missed save.

    As if that was not a enough headache for the Aba landlords Dicha Liema compounded the problem with a 19th minute goal just before the 28th minute mark Enyimba again conceded a third goal and played out the entire half three goals down.  More purposeful moves by the Frank Aigbogun led Enyimba aimed at turning the table or reducing that tally proved abortive as the homers held the ground till the final whistle.

    A disappointed Enyimba admitted that it was indeed a poor outing taking to the social media to describe it as a day to forget.

    “A day, and performance, to forget. Our fans deserved so much better. #CARAEFC #CARENY #CAFCC”the club dished out shortly after the match. Enyimba with three points in two matches will next host Williamsville Athletic club of Cote’d ivoire at a later date.

    There are four groups of four teams each and only two teams will advance from each group.

    Enyimba had prior to Wednesday’s match been hosted by Nigerian ambassador to the Congo Her Excellency Hon Deborah Iliya in Brazzaville.

  • Conf/cup flop: Okeahialam blasts poor administrators

     

    Charlatans and gold diggers must be flushed out of the system if Nigerian clubs are to become a force to be reckoned with on the continent.

    Former Chairman Heartland of Owerri Ignatius Okeahialam made the submission while reacting to massive ouster of three Nigerian clubs from the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation cup respectively.

    He noted that the nation’s flag bearers have become easy to predict thus portraying low quality of Nigerian football.

    The situation according to him is not unconnected with the presence of charlatans and gold diggers in sports administration who have neither passion nor experience to administer the game but delight only in what they can get.

    “Management of football has gone into the hands of people who do not have passion for the game who have no experience who cannot take the footballers as their children who cannot pamper them and at the same time remain firm but are only looking for what to get.

    For you to call yourself a club manager you must be passionate about the game, you must be able to identified and engage a good coach, you must go for good players with certain age bracket, you must be sincere  to the extent that if you promise to pay players one naira, you must be true to your  word.  All these add up to produce the result that makes a club a real competitor,” he submitted

    The proprietor of now rested Imo United, said running a football club gulps a lot of money adding that while talking about independent of clubs, government must woo companies with incentives so that they can be encouraged to support sports in the country.

    There are not many companies ready to support sports because they have their primary objective of coming into the country which is to do their business, but government can woo them with incentives identify with sports, ” he submitted.

    Four Nigerian team Enyimba, MFM, Plateau United and Akwa United began the chase for qualification for group stage of the Champions league and Confederation cup this year, but at the last count only Enyimba survived the play-off in the Confederation cup after a 1-1 away draw to Bidvest of South Africa and holding the visitors to another goalless draw in the return leg at the U.jEsuene Stadium in Calabar on Wednesday.

  • Akwa vs Al Hilal:  Governor Udom throws gates open

     

    Ahead of the second leg CAF Confederation Cup play off between Akwa United and Al Hilal of Sudan billed for Wednesday at the Nest of Champions, the Akwa Ibom state government has throw the gates open to enable supporters storm the arena in full force.

    Akwa United lost the first leg 0-2 in Sudan and are hoping to turn the table at home in front of their vociferous fans.

    The Uyo based side took to their twitter handle Saturday to thank the State Governor udom Emmanuel for the gesture while urging their fans to turn our in large numbers for the all important showdown. At least 30,000 fans are expected to watch the match free of charge.

    “Fans to watch Akwa United vs Al-Hilal match free of charge Courtesy of His Excellency Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

    30,000 fans expected at the Nest of Champions on Wednesday. Thank you Gov. Emmanuel for the kind gesture,” the club enthused.

    Akwa United coach Abdul Maikaba told the media on Friday in Uyo that he is optimistic that his boys can turn the table despite the 2-0 disadvantage. “In football, nothing is impossible. I don’t have to go too far back in history. Ask Barcelona, ask Real Madrid. On both occasions, the underdogs held sway. We respect the Sudanese, they were established over 88 years ago and are perennial CAF Champions League campaigners yet in Uyo, we are sure they will meet their waterloo.” he said

    A 33-man strong Al Hilal of Sudan delegation, comprising 22 players and 11 officials, are expected to hit the country any moment from now ahead Wednesday’s clash

    Though CAF regulations stipulate a squad of 25 with 18 players and seven officials, the Sudanese champions are not leaving anything to chance for the match that will determine who goes ahead to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The Sudanese go into the match with 2-0 advantage secured in the first leg, which implies that the Nigerian side will have to score three un-replied replied goals to have a safe landing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Akwa United unveils new players set for new season

    Akwa United unveils new players set for new season

     

    Premier league side Akwa United appear set for action in the new season after the coach  Abdu Maikaba led side unveiled a 16 -man list Saturday in what could pass for bring on any opponent pose.

    Included in the 16-man list are four players newly recruited from other clubs to fortify the squad for new season showdown

    The new players according to information dished out by the club include Dennis Nya acquired from Lobi Stars, Etim Mathew from Rangers international, Adeshina Gata from ABS and Ajiboye Otegbeye from Sunshine stars of Akure.

    Akwa United open their campaign in the new season against Rangers at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on January 14.

    The 2017 Aiteo Cup Champions won all their six preseason matches scoring 36 goals in the process. Though that could be dubbed good pre-season effort, coach Maikaba however said though he was impressed by the team’s effort there is need to be ready to go the extra mile adding that he needs to assess the team in more competitive ties.

    Akwa United finished fourth on the log last season with 60 points in 38 matches.  The Uyo landlords will not only be hoping to be in a killer mood for the new season but will also need to be on top of their game as they fly the Nation’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup.  They have been drawn against Banjul United of Gambia in a two legged tie billed for 9th and 16th of February respectively.  Akwa United will host Banjul United on the 9th and then head to Banjul for the second leg on the 16th.

    The full list of battle ready players for the club is as follows:

    1. Daniel Ekpo
    2. Dennis Nya
    3. Etim Matthew
    4. Adeshina Gata
    5. Ajibola Otegbeye
    6. Victor Mbaoma
    7. Kelly Kester
    8. Yenne Tenton
    9. Gabriel Wassa
    10. Kenneth James
    11. Aniekeme Asuquo
    12. Katoh Haggai
    13. Aminu Nuhu
    14. Kenneth James
    15. Etboy Akpan
    16. Emmanuel Charles

     

     

  • CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United defeated by Club Africain

    CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers United defeated by Club Africain

    Rivers United Football Club’s hopes of advancing in the CAF Confederation Cup competition were dashed on Sunday after a 0-2 loss to visiting Club Africain of Tunisia in Port Harcourt.

    Nigerian side’s travails began when Manoubi Hadeed scored for the Tunisian side in the 63rd minute from a free kick.

    Further damage to the home side’s chances was inflicted when team captain Festus Austin scored an own goal in the 89th minute of the Group A Match Day 5 fixture.

    Club Africain’s coach Chibeb Ellili later told sportswriters after the game at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium that the result was more than satisfactory for him.

    “I am more satisfied with my team’s result here than the result of the match involving KCCA at Kampala in Uganda, because we needed an away win to qualify for the next stage.

    “We came here in a very exceptional situation because I have four players injured and two players who cannot play. So, we came with only 16 players.

    “We won because we played with our hearts and brain, and in terms of tactics and placement we were superior today,’’ he said.

    Ellili said his team’s coaching crew and players were prepared for the fact that the game would be tough because Rivers United were a good team.

    “United are good opponents. We played against them in Tunisia and won 3-1, but we suffered in the second half.

    “That is why I am very happy today, because we won the maximum points when we are in a special condition and on this very difficult pitch,” he said.

    Also, Slimen Kcouk, the captain of Club Africain, said he and his teammates saw the game as a big challenge. “But our team came for business. So, we played to win.’’

    Willie Odube, the Chief Coach of Rivers United, said it was unfortunate that they lost because they never planned for failure.

    He however reasoned that all hopes were not lost for them to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

    “We have had the experience of people writing us off to even qualify for the group stage, but we finally qualified.

    “We are going to Morocco (against FUS Rabat) and we are not going to relent. If a team can beat us at home, we can also win away.

    “It depends on the heart and zeal of the players, by having it in mind that we lost at home and we need to win away,” the coach said.

    Odube said the Rivers United players did not perform to instructions and were so much in a hurry.

    He urged the Rivers people and other Nigerians not to lose hope in the team.

    NAN reports that Rivers United will face FUS Rabat on July 7 in their last match of the group phase, needing to win to have a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

    Club Africain, who have nine points from five matches and host KCCA in the Match Day 6 fixture same day, look to have already qualified for the knockout stage.

  • Confederation cup clash : KCCA vows to score in Port Harcourt

    Confederation cup clash : KCCA vows to score in Port Harcourt

     

    Nigeria’s flag bearers in the CAF Confederation Cup Rivers United will have to up their defence against visiting Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC if they are to sing victory song without hitches.

    Indication to this effect emerged when KCCA head coach Hillary Mutebi boasted and predicted that the possibility of his side scoring in the Garden City and even winning should not be ruled out.

    The Ugandan side according to him has something going for them and that is ability to score goals away no matter what.

    “In all our away games in the Confederation Cup, we have only failed to score against FUS Rabat and El-Masry; we always score away from home,” he enthused

    While admitting that Rivers United are not cheap to handle, Mutebi who is eager to top the group said the confidence level in his team is capable of springing a surprise.

    KCCA earned a 2-1 victory against Rivers United in Kampala, a result which took them to the second position on the log with six points, just behind table toppers FUS Rabat.

    Stanley Eguma tutored Rivers United will need to turn the table at the Yakubu Gown Stadium Port Harcourt Stadium Tuesday if they wish progress to the next stage .

    The Garden City boys are heading into the match fresh from a lone goal defeat by Lobi Stars in Makurdi on Friday, and will need to push aside the disappointment of the defeat to bring out their best in CAF Confederation Cup showdown.

    Bolaji Sakin, who scored for United against KCCA, will be hoping to find the back of the net again and help his side earn the much needed victory at home

  • Rangers vs Zesco United: We ‘ll give our all for Amapakabo-Madu

    Rangers vs Zesco United: We ‘ll give our all for Amapakabo-Madu

    Rangers’ midfielder Christian Madu has declared that the Flying Antelopes will play their hearts out when they take on visiting Zesco United of Zambia in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoff, Sunday in Enugu.
    The resolve by the players to make it a must win encounter according to him is not unconnected with their desire to keep the flag flying in the continental chase and the need to save the job of coach Imama Amapakabo who has been working extremely hard for the Coal City side to excel despite poor run in the local league.
    Madu who blamed mother luck partly for Rangers misfortune in recent times maintained that the players have been playing well admitting however that there is always room for improvement.
    “I wouldn’t say we have been playing badly, on the contrary we have not been very lucky, but we are determined to rise above the challenges. The match against Zesco on Sunday will not be cheap but we are determined to put in everything we have to emerge victorious. We want to play for ourselves and for Coach Amapakabo and I am optimistic we will succeed,” he enthused
    The defensive midfielder, who contributed in no small measure to the team’s title winning exploits last season called on their fans to come out in large numbers on Sunday to cheer the team to victory.
    “I want to thank the club fans for their support so far and urge them to come out in large numbers on Sunday at the Temple to cheer the team to victory,” he submitted Saturday, shortly after the team’s training ahead of the super Sunday clash.
    Some soccer fans who bared their minds ahead of the match, said the only way the defending league champions can excel is not only to post a resounding victory against the Zlatko Krmpotić tutored side at the Temple, but also avoid conceding any goal for a better standing ahead of the return leg in Ndola on April 13.

  • CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers Utd, Rangers get opponents

    CAF Confederation Cup: Rivers Utd, Rangers get opponents

    Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt will face Rwanda’s Rayon Sport in the first leg of the final qualifying round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Also, Rangers International FC of Enugu will be away to Zesco United of Zambia in first leg of the final qualifying round of the competition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Football Confederation (CAF) released the draws on Tuesday.

    NAN also reports that Rivers United was dumped out of the CAF Champions League to the Confederation Cup with a 3-4 aggregate having lost 4-0 away to Al-Merrikh of Sudan.

    The first leg ended 3-0 in favour of Rivers United in Port Harcourt.

    Enugu Rangers having lost 1-4 to Zamalek of Egypt in the first leg could not score the number of required goals to take them to the group stage.

    The Flying Antelopes defeated Zamalek in Enugu 2-1 to go out of the competition 5-3 on aggregate.

    According to CAF, the matches are scheduled for April 7, 8 and 9, while the return leg holds from April 14 to April 16.