CAF Confederation Cup: Rangers draw with Zesco

Nigeria champions Enugu Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by Zambia’s Zesco United in the first leg clash of the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday. Rangers, who were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Egypt’s Zamalek by 5-3 on aggregate, had to drop down to the qualifying stages for the continental second-tier Confederation Cup. But the draw at home have placed them on a tightrope, as they’ll have more work to do when they play the second leg away at Zambia if they are to qualify for the next round.

Osas Okoro bagged a brace for the home team but the visitors scored two quick second half goals to put the Nigerian champions in a tight spot. Rangers went in front in the 25th minute through Okoro from the penalty spot and doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when Okoro scored another penalty to put the Enugu side on clear advantage. But the last year’s CAF Champions League semi-finalists gave themselves some hope of getting a positive result in the 73rd minute through David Owino’s goal and then doubles it five minutes later by Patrick Kongolo. The return leg of the tie holds next week Thursday.