The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2nd Preliminary Round kicked off on Friday with two intense matchups setting the stage for an action-packed weekend in African club football.
Enugu Rangers of Nigeria and Monastir of Tunisia both secured narrow but crucial victories, keeping their group stage ambitions alive.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Nigeria, Enugu Rangers hosted Angola’s Sagrada Esperanca. The game was tightly contested, with few clear-cut chances until the 78th minute, when Kazwem Ogunleye broke the deadlock with a well-placed strike.
The goal gave the Nigerian side a 1-0 win, giving them a slender advantage heading into the return leg in Angola next weekend. The victory, though slim, will be a confidence boost for Rangers as they brace for a tough test on foreign soil.
Meanwhile, in Tunisia, Monastir faced off against Algerian club MC Alger in a closely fought battle at Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet.
The Algerians started strong, controlling much of the early play, but an unfortunate own goal by Ayoub Ghezala in the second half handed Monastir a 1-0 win.
Despite their dominance, MC Alger failed to capitalize on their chances, and now find themselves needing a victory in Algeria to overturn the deficit.
With these first-leg results, both Enugu Rangers and Monastir will go into their second legs with slim advantages, but their opponents will undoubtedly push hard to turn the tables.
The CAF Champions League action continues over the weekend, with more clubs vying for a spot in the coveted group stages.
