Mixed fortunes for Nigerian challengers in CAF Cup

JOHANNESBURG: Nigerian hopefuls had mixed fortunes in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Sunday with Kwara United qualifying comfortably while Remo Stars were eliminated.

Kwara forced a 0-0 second leg draw away to AS Douanes of Niger in Niamey to advance 3-0 on aggregate ater building a healthy lead at home last weekend.

But African debutants Remo, having exceeded expectations by holding 2005 Confederation Cup winners FAR Rabat in Morocco, fell 1-0 at home to bow out 2-1 on aggregate.

The crucial goal came 11 minutes into the second half when Ivorian Joseph Gnadou sprinted down the let, cut inside and unleashed a shot into the far corner of the net.

No Nigerian club has won the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League with now defunct Dolphins coming closest by reaching the two-leg 2005 final, which they lost 3-1 to FAR.

Kwara are likely to face much tougher opposition in the round of 32 during October as they have been paired with two-time Confederation Cup title-holders Renaissance Berkane.

Berkane, who hail from the citrus growing northeastern region of Morocco, enhanced a growing reputation this month by surprising compatriots Wydad Casablanca to lit the CAF Super Cup.

The Orange Boys have reached three of the last four Confederation Cup finals, losing to Zamalek, then beating another Egyptian club, Pyramids, and South African side Orlando Pirates.

Elgeco Plus of Madagascar beat PWD Bamenda of Cameroon 1-0 in Antananarivo to pull of a surprise 2-1 aggregate victory.

Fenohasina Razafimaro scored the deciding goal on 60 minutes and the reward is a winnable showdown with Marumo Gallants, who are struggling in the South African Premiership.

The other South African challengers, African rookies Royal AM, let it late to seal a place in the next round at the expense of Mbabane Highlanders from neighbouring Eswatini.

Ruzaigh Gamildien scored on 89 minutes to clinch a 2-0 victory in the second leg and on aggregate ater Mozambican Elias Pelembe had broken the deadlock just before half-time.

Meanwhile, twice former champions Asante Kotoko of Ghana were shocked by Rail Kadiogo of Burkina Faso on Sunday in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.