By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League – Enyimba Fc and Remo Stars were eliminated from the club competition at home.
Both in Aba, Abia State and Ikenne, Ogun State, the two clubs surprisingly lost to their visiting opponents on Sunday.
While Enyimba were held to a 0-0 draw by Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi, Remo Stars lost by 3-2 on penalties to Medeama SC of Ghana in a preliminary round second leg match.
How Remo, Enyimba Crashed
Remo Stars restored parity on 1-1 aggregate when Medeama SC goalkeeper Felix Kyei spilled a corner into his own net.
Remo thought they had got the go-ahead goal in the closing minutes of this return leg tie, but the effort was chalked off for offside till match came to an end.
In the ensuing penalties shootout, the visitors netted three of their kicks to advance to the first round of the competition.
While Enyimba, Nigeria Professional Football League champions lost 4-3 on aggregate.
Finidi George’s side dominated the game but were let down by their poor marksmanship.
The visitors sat back and put up a spirited display to thwart Enyimba’s attack ending the encounter goalless to the chagrin of Aba fans and Enyimba officials led by newly appointed chairman, Kanu Nwankwo.
The home fans were left disappointed at the end as a 1-0 win would have seen Enyimba scale through to the second round.
The People’s Elephant will now shift attention to their preparations for the new NPFL season which will kick off next month.
Insured Confederation Cup
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance defied the odds to qualify for the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of ASO Chlef of Algeria on Saturday evening in Algeria.
The Nigerian Cup winners pipped their Algerian foes 4-3 on penalties after both teams were tied 1-1 on aggregate.
Last week, Insurance won the first leg 1-0 in Benin City only for the Algerians to cancel out that advantage in the first half at home.
‘The Benin Arsenal’ will next battle RS Berkane from Morocco next month for a place in the money-spinning group stage of the competition.
Insurance will host the first leg between September 16 and 18 with the return leg in Morocco two weeks later.
Ahead of next stage tie, Moroccan Botola league side RS Berkane have intensified their readiness for the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup against Nigeria’s Bendel Insurance by signing a new striker to strengthen the team’s attack.
They announced the acquisition of Senegalese forward Paul Valère Bassène as a replacement for Victorien Adebayor who left the club for Amazulu of South Africa.
RS Berkane won the competition two years ago beating Orlando Pirates of South Africa via a penalty shootout at the Goodswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
