Get Guardian on Google• El-Kanemi walk tight rope in Confederation Cup
Enugu Rangers, yesterday, recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over Algeria’s MC Alger to raise hopes of a passage to the group stage of the CAF Champions League. But their counterparts, El-Kanemi Warriors had a tough day in Ikenne, where they managed a 2-2 draw with visiting Raja Casablanca of Morocco in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Rangers knew that they needed a good result to make the second leg easier for their fans and they went about the job with the type of determination always associated with the Flying Antelopes.
Despite playing with a man down for most of the game, Rangers kept knocking on the Algerians’ door until they found the opening late into the tie.
The second qualifying round game at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State, saw Super Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Igboke, opening scores in the 81st minute from the penalty spot, and James Eno found the back of the net a few minutes later to help the Flying Antelopes to a 2-0 win going into the second leg.
Winners over two legs between both teams will qualify for the lucrative group stage of the CAF Champions League.
While Rangers have a two-goal cushion to build on in the return leg, El-Kanemi must be at their very best in Morocco to survive Raja Casablanca after pulling a 2-2 draw at home.
