Champions League: Rangers, Dekedaha & Pirates secure progression

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 24, 2024. 12:50

Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers, Dekedaha FC of Somalia and South African heavyweights Orlando Pirates have become the first three teams to secure progression from the first round of the CAF Champions League qualifying phase.

In the first of three second-leg matches played on Friday, Rangers recorded a 1-1 draw at home to US Zilimadjou (Comoros) in Uyo, but advanced 2-1 on aggregate – with Agu Kenechukwu’s opener in the match proving crucial. The Nigerian club will face either Saint Louis Suns United (Seychelles) or Sagrada Esperanca (Angola) in the next phase.

In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Dekedaha played out a thrilling 3-4 ‘home’ loss to Arta Solar (Djibouti), but on the strength of their 2-0 ‘away’ win at the same venue last weekend they advanced 5-4 on aggregate and will take on Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis next month.

Finally, in Soweto, Pirates thumped CNaPS Sport (Madagascar, also known as Disciples) 4-0 thanks to goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa, Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Karim Kimvuidi.

The Buccaneers took the tie by the same 4-0 aggregate score line and will face the winner of the tie between fellow Southern African clubs African Stars (Namibia) and Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana).

The first qualifying round continues on Saturday 24 August, headlined by a West African derby between Teungueth FC (Senegal) and Stade Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in Thies.

CAF Champions League results, Friday 23 August

First round, second-leg matches. Aggregate score in parenthesis.

Enugu Rangers (Nigeria) 1-1 US Zilimadjou (Comoros) (2-1)

Dekedaha FC (Somalia) 3-4 Arta Solar (Djibouti) (5-4)

Orlando Pirates (South Africa) 4-0 CNaPS Sport (Madagascar) (4-0)