Enugu build slim CAF Champions League lead in Nigeria

Kazeem Ogunleye came off the bench to score and give Enugu Rangers of Nigeria a 1-0 victory over Sagrada Esperanca of Angola on Friday in a Caf Champions League qualifier.

FULL TIME: Rangers International (Enugu)🇳🇬 1-0 🇦🇴 Sagrada Esperança

Kazeem Ogunleye helps Enugu Rangers secure the first leg win over their Angolan opponents in the final CAF CL Qualifiers First leg#NPFL #NigeriaFootball pic.twitter.com/V1qf4HiUpd

— Nigeria Report Football (@NReportfootball) September 13, 2024

The 18-year-old netted with a shot from just outside the area that flew into the net in the southeastern Nigerian city of Uyo.

While Enugu had much more possession in the second-round first leg, they were denied by poor passing and finishing until the teenager struck.

Enugu scraped into the final qualifying round by edging Comoran champions Zilimadjou 2-1 on aggregate despite having the significant advantage of playing both matches in Nigeria.

There are no international-standard stadiums in the Comoros and, rather than use a neutral venue, Zilimadjou opted to play twice in west Africa.

Rangers will have to travel next weekend, though, with the return match against Sagrada in the Angolan capital Luanda.

Enugu hope to become the first Nigerian winners of the premier African club competition since Enyimba achieved back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004.

The other first leg on Friday also ended in a 1-0 home victory with US Monastir of Tunisia overcoming former champions Mouloudia Alger of Algeria in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis.

Fourat Soltani was the match-winner, scoring on 22 minutes with a long-range shot that was deflected into the net by Ayoub Ghezala.

Mouloudia became the first African champions from Algeria in 1976, wiping out at home a 3-0 first-leg loss against Hafia of Guinea, then winning a penalty shootout.

A further nine fixtures are scheduled for Saturday and five on Sunday, with the second legs next weekend.

Defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt are away to Gor Mahia of Kenya on Sunday when they begin a quest for a record-extending 13th title.