Enugu Rangers, the reigning champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), faced a heartbreaking exit from the CAF Champions League after a 3-1 defeat to Angolan side Sagrada Esperanca in Luanda on Sunday. This result ended the club’s hopes of progressing to the group stage, leaving Nigeria without a representative in the prestigious African competition’s mini-league phase.
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A Disappointing End for Enugu Rangers
Enugu Rangers had taken a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg of the second-round qualifier held last weekend. However, they couldn’t hold onto this advantage, as their Angolan counterparts overturned the deficit to secure a 3-2 win on aggregate, sealing the fate of Rangers and dashing Nigeria’s hopes of representation in the next stage of the tournament.
Despite their best efforts, Rangers once again fell short in their quest to make it to the Champions League group stage. The club has participated in this competition four times but has never reached the mini-league phase, where substantial prize money is awarded to qualifying teams. This season, the prize money for reaching the group stage stood at $800,000 (about 715,000 euros), a missed opportunity for the Nigerian side.
The Turning Point in Luanda
The match began on a challenging note for Enugu Rangers as they found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half against Sagrada Esperanca. The Angolan club, forced to play 850 kilometers away from their home base due to the unavailability of an internationally certified venue, took full advantage of the situation to assert their dominance.
Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Anayor Ogbonna managed to bring Enugu Rangers back into contention by scoring just before halftime, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2. With the away goal rule in their favor, Enugu appeared to have the upper hand. However, Sagrada Esperanca’s Jaime Pimpao shattered their dreams when he scored in the 67th minute, putting his team ahead once more and effectively sealing Rangers’ fate.
Nigerian Hopes Dashed as Remo Stars Also Exit Early
Enugu Rangers’ exit from the CAF Champions League wasn’t the only blow to Nigeria’s ambitions in the competition. Remo Stars, the other Nigerian representatives, had been eliminated in the first round last month by Moroccan giants FAR Rabat, further diminishing the country’s presence on the African stage.
This means that for the 2024/25 season, no Nigerian club will be competing in the group stage of the premier African club competition, a sobering reality for Nigerian football enthusiasts.
Sagrada Esperanca’s Journey Continues
Sagrada Esperanca, who have only reached the group stage once in their previous three appearances, will be aiming to make a mark in this year’s tournament. Their victory over Enugu Rangers marks a significant achievement, especially given the surprise elimination of their compatriots, Petro Luanda.
Petro Luanda, considered one of Angola’s strongest clubs, was unexpectedly held to a 0-0 draw by Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate defeat. Their exit further emphasizes the unpredictable nature of this year’s Champions League campaign.
Other African Clubs Making History
As Enugu Rangers reflect on their missed opportunity, other clubs across the continent have taken steps toward achieving greatness. Notably, Mali’s Djoliba made history by becoming the first club from the country to reach the group stage of the Champions League. After a 1-0 win over ASKO Kara of Togo in Lome, they progressed with a 2-0 aggregate victory. This accomplishment is a landmark achievement for Malian football, as Djoliba finally broke through at their 12th attempt.
In addition, former champions Stade Abidjan of Ivory Coast, returning to the competition after 54 years, secured their place in the group stage alongside FAR Rabat of Morocco and Al Hilal of Sudan.
Conclusion
Enugu Rangers’ exit from the CAF Champions League marks yet another chapter in their struggle to reach the mini-league phase of Africa’s top club competition. Despite their efforts, the dream remains elusive, and the club, along with its supporters, must regroup and refocus for future opportunities. For Nigerian football, this season’s Champions League journey may have ended prematurely, but the hope remains for a resurgence in the coming years.
To stay updated with more on this and other football news, visit the full article at Vanguard
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