Nigeria’s four representatives in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup remain in contention after completing their opening legs without defeat.
Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors recorded home victories, while Rivers United and Rangers International drew their Champions League matches.
The results leave all four clubs with something to protect or improve when the return legs are played this weekend.
Rangers face difficult trip
Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Sobemap in Enugu.
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The Nigerian champions entered the home leg hoping to establish an advantage but must now produce a result away from home to remain in the Champions League.
AS Sobemap will host the return leg in Benin on Friday.
Rangers need a more clinical performance after failing to make home advantage count in the opening match.
Rivers bring useful result home
Rivers United earned a 1-1 draw away to San Pedro in Ivory Coast.
The result gives Finidi George’s side an opportunity to complete the job when they host the return match in Uyo on Sunday.
Rivers have become regular participants in CAF competitions and reached the Confederation Cup quarter-finals in consecutive seasons.
Progress in the Champions League has proved more difficult.
They must now turn a strong away result into qualification.
Shooting Stars defend narrow lead
Shooting Stars marked their first continental appearance in 27 years with a 1-0 victory over CS Sfaxien.
Emmanuel Lucky scored the only goal in Abeokuta, while goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal made important saves to preserve the lead.
The result gives the Oluyole Warriors an advantage ahead of Sunday’s second leg in Tunisia.
CS Sfaxien have won the Confederation Cup three times and will expect to overturn the deficit at home.
Shooting Stars will need another organised defensive performance, but they cannot afford to spend the entire match protecting a one-goal lead.
El-Kanemi hold strongest advantage
El-Kanemi Warriors recorded the biggest victory of the Nigerian contingent, beating UDIB 3-0.
The result gives the Maiduguri club a comfortable advantage before Sunday’s return fixture.
Avoiding an early goal will be important. If El-Kanemi remain organised during the opening stages, UDIB will be forced to take increasing risks.
A goal for the Nigerian side would make the route back even more difficult for their opponents.
Nigeria’s clubs completed the first legs with two victories and two draws.
That represents an encouraging start, but none of the four has qualified yet.
The real measure of the weekend will be how many remain in Africa when the return legs are over.
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