Rangers left frustrated in Confederation Cup clash

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Jan 12, 2020. 20:15

Enugu Rangers and Nouadhibou FC played out a 1-1 draw in their CAF Confederation Cup clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday evening, a result which does little for either side’s hopes of advancing from the group phase.

The Nigerian and Mauritanian sides are placed third and fourth respectively, both with two points, in Group A of the competition. They trail third-placed Al Masry of Egypt by four points, while compatriot side Pyramids FC have qualified for the quarterfinals with a perfect record of four wins from as many matches.

Nouadhibou enjoyed a solid start to the game and were rewarded with a goal midway through the first half, as Yassin El Welly struck an effort beyond the reach of Rangers goalkeeper Nana Osei Bonsu.

The hosts responded well to going behind and put together some promising attacking moves, though they were unable to really test Nouadhibou goalkeeper Drissa Kouyate and went into the half-time interval trailing by one goal to nil.

Rangers made a change early in the second half when Chinoso Eziekwe replaced Nnamdi Egbujuo, and they continued to build pressure in attack.

The Enugu side was rewarded midway through the second stanza when they earned a penalty. Ibrahim Olawoyin fired home from the spot kick to make it 1-1 and set up a thrilling finale.

The Flying Antelopes threw everything they had at their Mauritanian visitors, but they were unable to come up with a second goal, leaving the teams to share the spoils.

They will return to Confederation Cup action in the last weekend of the month, with both away in Egypt: Rangers face Pyramids in Cairo and Nouadhibou will come up against Al Masry in Alexandria.

Enugu Rangers (0) 1 (Olawoyin 68’ pen)

Nouadhibou FC (1) 1 (El Welly 23’)

Rangers: Bonsu, Akubueze, Egbujuo (Eziekwe 53’), Shimaga, Uwadiegwu, Olawoyin, Olusesi, Traore, Agu (Itoya 75’), Madu, George

Nouadhibou: Kouyate, Mheimid, Yacoub, Sy, Samake, Konte, Depode (Boilil 83’), El Welly, Lembrabott, Cisse (Soudani 89’), Touda (Wade 64’)