Former African champions, Enyimba Aba on Sunday prevented what would have been a totally embarrassing outing for Nigerian clubs in this year’s CAF competitions when they defeated hard fighting Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round clash played in Ouagadougou.
Former Remo Stars striker, Victor Mboma was the match winner for Enyimba as his goal in the 76th minute was enough to hand the ‘peoples elephants’ the much deserved away victory.
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However, Nigeria’s other representatives in the CAF Champions League, Plateau United suffered a painful 0-1 loss to Simba Sport Club of Tanzania at the New Jos stadium.
A 54th minute strike by Clatous Chama was all Simba SC needed to beat Plateau United, giving themselves a big boost ahead of the return leg on December 7.
Before the defeat suffered by Plateau United yesterday, Nigerian teams in the second tier club competition, the CAF Confederation Cup, Rivers United and Kano Pillars had suffered away defeats on Saturday.
While Rivers United lost 1-2 at Futuro Kings FC of Equatorial Guinea, Pillars were convincingly beaten 3-1 by Jaraaf FC of Senegal in Dakar.
Although Rivers United also need to win in the return leg to progress, their task may not be as difficult as that of Kano Pillars who must score at least two goals without conceding to move to the first round.
Pillars who have suffered early exits in their recent continental campaigns are, however, optimistic of scaling the Jaraaf FC hurdle to remain in this year’s competition.
“We have a mountain to climb in the return leg but it will be too early to write off our chances.
“Our attention is already on the return leg in Kaduna. We would cross the bridge when we get there,” said Kenneth Amia.
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