Enugu Rangers of Nigeria pulled off a stunning CAF Confederation Cup triumph away to Pyramids of Egypt on Sunday, but it was in vain as they were eliminated after matchday five.<\/p>\n
Having won 1-0 in Cairo through an Ifeanyi George goal, Enugu needed Nouadhibou of Mauritania to avoid defeat against Al Masry of Egypt a few hours later.<\/p>\n
The Group A match remained goalless for 86 minutes before Saidou Simpore netted to give Masry a 1-0 victory and second place, and Enugu were eliminated.<\/p>\n
Pyramids have 12 points with one series of matches to come on February 2, Masry nine, Enugu five and Nouadhibou two with the top two finishers qualifying for the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Despite lacking seven of their squad through injuries and a suspension, Enugu fulfilled a promise to attack Pyramids and seek revenge for a 3-1 home loss in the opening matchday.<\/p>\n
Ghanaian John Antwi of Pyramids and Emmanuel Madu of Enugu were foiled by the woodwork during a lively opening half.<\/p>\n
The only goal came on 73 minutes when George burst on to a pass from Isaac Loute and fired past goalkeeper Mahdy Soliman for his third of the African campaign.<\/p>\n
It was the first group victory for Enugu after two draws and two losses while Pyramids surrendered a 10-match unbeaten run since the Confederation Cup season began.<\/p>\n
Pyramids are sure of first place despite the setback as they have a superior head-to-head record against Masry, who could draw level on points.<\/p>\n
The leaders are away to Nouadhibou in the final matchday while Masry visit Enugu in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.<\/p>\n
– Recovered from shock –<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Renaissance Berkane and Hassania Agadir of Morocco, Horoya of Guinea and Al Nasr of Libya booked places in the February 9 quarter-finals draw.<\/p>\n
Berkane, runners-up to Zamalek of Egypt last season, recovered from the shock of conceding a first-minute goal to trounce African rookies ESAE of Benin 5-1 in Group B.<\/p>\n
Alaedine Ajaray bagged a hat-trick for Renaissance in Porto-Novo and Hamdi Laachir claimed his fifth goal of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Moussa Souleymane netted in stoppage time to give Zanaco of Zambia a 2-1 comeback win over Daring Club Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lusaka.<\/p>\n
The Zambians hold a two-point advantage over the Congolese but have a potentially much tougher final fixture, away to Berkane, than Motema Pembe, who host ESAE.<\/p>\n
Group C leaders Horoya overcame 10-man Bidvest Wits of South Africa 2-1 in Conakry to retain a three-point lead with Boniface Haba scoring the winning goal during the second half.<\/p>\n
Djoliba of Mali were expected to be the other qualifiers from the section, but bowed out after a shock 1-0 home loss to Nasr in Bamako with Moataz al Mehdi scoring.<\/p>\n
Leaders Agadir made a perfect start away to Enyimba of Nigeria in Group D with Youssef el Fahli netting after three minutes, but Austin Oladapo levelled in a 1-1 draw in Aba.<\/p>\n
Twice African champions Enyimba will be sure of a place in the knockout phase provided they avoid defeat in the Ivory Coast against San Pedro, who drew 0-0 with Paradou in Algeria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Enugu Rangers of Nigeria pulled off a stunning CAF Confederation Cup triumph away to Pyramids of Egypt on Sunday, but it was in vain as they were eliminated after matchday five. Having won 1-0 in Cairo through an Ifeanyi George goal, Enugu needed Nouadhibou of Mauritania to avoid defeat against Al Masry of Egypt a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":20601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,18],"tags":[174,115],"class_list":["post-20598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-football-in-nigeria","tag-nigerian-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n