Confed Cup: Enyimba win, Rangers draw at home

Nigerian champions Enyimba returned to winning ways, defeating Paradou AC of Algeria 4-1 in a CAF Confederations Cup clash at the Aba Stadium on Sunday.

Enyimba had lost 1-0 to Paradou in the reverse fixture in Algeria on December 29.

The win ended a five-game winless streak for the Nigeria Professional Football League champions.

The game was Enyimba’s first match since sacking former coach Usman Abd’Allah after a 4-0 loss to Plateau United in the NPFL and replacing him with Fatai Osho.

Stanley Dimgba put Enyimba ahead in the 15th minute with a header. He turned provider 20 minutes later, providing a delightful cross for Victor Mbaoma to score the second goal.

Enyimba scored again within the space of a minute, with Dimgba grabbing the brace, with a chip over the Algerian goalkeeper to put the game at 3-0.

Dimgba got his hat-trick in the 77th minute, scoring another header from a Stanley Okorom corner, to give the Aba-based side a 4-0 lead and put them on course for a comfortable victory.

Paradou, however, got a consolation goal in the 89th minute through Abdelhak Kadri to end the game 4-1.

The win takes Enyimba to second in Group D with six points from four matches. They face HUSA FC of Morocco on January 26 in Aba in their next CAF Confederation Cup game.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s other representatives, Enugu Rangers, were held to a 1-1 draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu by visiting Nouadhibou from Mauritania.



The home side fell behind in the 22nd minute via a free-kick, which was curled in by Yasin Elwely, beating goalkeeper Nana Bonsu.

Rangers however drew level in the 67th minute through Ibrahim Olawoyin, who scored from the penalty spot.

The referee had pointed to the spot after Sidi Yacoub brought down Chinonso Eziekwe inside the box.

The Flying Antelopes are on the brink of elimination, sitting bottom of Group A with two points, with only two draws from four games.

They are level on points with their opponents, Nouadhibou, who have a better head-to-head record.

Rangers’ last two games are against Egyptian sides Pyramid FC away on January 26 and Al Masry on February 2.