The Enugu Rangers International FC earned their first away point of the group stage after sharing the spoils with the Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou in Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup Group A clash.
After defeats in their last two games, the Flying Antelopes rescued their qualification hopes with a point at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya, Nouakchott.
In the contest where the visitors came all out to winning the game, the hosts blew away a glorious chance to take the lead after 18 minutes with Sidi Abdoullah failing to beat goalkeeper Nana Bonsu after being sent through on goal.
Rangers had more scoring chances but none sailed into the net. First, Uwadiegwu Ugu’s long range effort narrowly missed target before Kingsley Eleje’s 20-yard freekick did little to threaten Nouadhibou’s goalkeeper.
In the second half, the Flying Antelopes bungled several chances with poor finishing their major undoing with about 21 shots recorded in the encounter.
Despite the away point, they sit in third position in Group A and they host the Mauritanians in the reverse fixture on January 12.
Anything for short of victory Salisu Yusuf’s men at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium will put an end to their chase for continental glory.
In the main time Enyimba FC were beaten narrowly in far away Algeria (Paradou FC) by a lone goal. Fueled by their home fans, the Algerian topflight side handed the Nigerians their second defeat of the group stage
Paradou FC got their first victory of the 2019 Caf Confederation group stage thanks to a 1-0 victory over Enyimba.
Abdelkader Ghorab was the hero after profiting a blunder from defender Abiodun Adebayo to hand his team maximum points.
The People’s Elephant had a chunk of ball possession but strikers Victor Mbaoma and Cyril Olisema rarely threatened the hosts’ defence.
After a 0-0 draw in the first-half, the hosts resumed with a desire to win as captain Mustapha Bouchina forced goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to make a fine save in the 50th minute.
However, Ghorab had the final say in the 64th minute after slotting past Nwabali no thanks to a poor first touch from Adebayo.
The goal was the team’s first goal in the group phase having leaked two goals in their last two outings.
Two-time African champions Enyimba who are now third in Group D with three points will host the Algerians in the return leg at Aba’s Enyimba International Stadium on January 12.
