The draws for the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League group stage and CAF Confederations Cup play-off was done on Wednesday, October 19th and Nigeria’s last two teams standing on the continent learned the opponents they have to overcome to make the group stage.
Enugu Rangers have managed to get to this stage of the competition by beating AS Pelicans of Gabon 4-3 on aggregate after been drawn by in the first round of qualifiers.
The flying antelopes atoned for their 2-1 away loss in Gabon with a 3-1 win at the Cathedral in Enugu to progress. They will now face ASC Kara of Togo who dropped from the Champions League after losing to AS Vita club on aggregate.
With the recent troubles Nigeria (CHAN Eagles) has faced against Togo in the CHAN qualifiers; losing 4-1 in Lome and a 2-1 loss in the WAFU cup, then Rangers may have to be wary.
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Nevertheless, for two times CAF Champions League winners Enyimba, they also get a team from a rival country, TX Galaxy of South Africa. Although, it must be said the Nedbank Cup Champions have been punching above their weight, which also should cause a worry or two for the people’s Elephants.
Enyimba dropped from the Champions League after losing 1-0 on aggregate to Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sunday and should find the South African an easy ride.
However, South African first Divison team beat Kaiser’s Chief in the Nedbank Cup final to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup as a second division side just like Niger Tornadoes did this same season which was short-lived.
In the CAF Confederations Cup, TX Galaxy beat CNaPS from Madagascar after they had made light work of Saint Louis of Seychelles in the first round and may just be sticky for the Nigerians chances of making the group stage of the Confederations Cup.
On paper, both Nigerian teams have the edge to go through but with the NPFL still on break and lack of competitive match fitness by the players could be an issue.
