Enugu Rangers Vs Zesco United
Zesco United takes on Enugu Rangers in the CAF confederation cup play off which involves 16 encounters around Africa to determine the 16 teams that will go through to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup which is the second tyre of the CAF club competitions.
Zesco qualified to this stage after beating Le Messager Ngozi of Burundi 4-2 on aggregate while Enugu Rangers are at this stage after being eliminated from the Champions League in the first round at the hands of Zamalek 5 -3 on aggregate.
Enugu Rangers are the defending champions of Nigerian League after winning the title in 2016. They are currently in deep waters of relegation in the Nigerian league occupying last spot on the table after only managing 3 wins with 14 games played, they have lost 7 times already and drew 4 games. They have only scored 10 goals in that league and conceded 14 goals.
Enugu Rangers ain’t new in the CAF games , they won the 1977 Africa Cup winners Cup and before that in 1975 were finalists in the African Cup of Champions Club. Locally they have 7 Nigerian league titles with the latest coming in 2016.
In recent years Enugu Rangers has participated in the CAF confederation club and the best fit was in 2004 when they reached the group stage. The following year they were eliminated in the first round the same situation of 2013.
ZESCO United has been very good and have won 5 premier league with the latest coming in 2015 and 4 Barclay’s Cup with the latest in 2016 added to four Charity Shields too and one Coca Cola cup.
On the African joirney , Zesco has 5 appearances in the champions league with their best being the 2016 season were the reached the last four of the competition. They also reached the group stage in 2009.
In the CAF Confederation Cup, Zesco United have participated in 3 appearances, 2006 knocked out in the round of 32, 2010 knocked out in the First Round and in 2013 knocked out in the round of 16.
Enugu may be struggling in the local league but beating Zamalek in the second game of the first round us a big statement for the Zambian side of what they are to expect in Nigeria.
This one will be tough for ZESCO and they have to be clinical to have an away goal in this encounter.
My Verdict : Enugu Rangers 2-2 ZESCO United.
