FC IfeanyiUbah Crash Out Of The Caf Confederations Cup
By Oladapo Okeowo
Nigeria’s hope of challenging hard for a continental title was dealt another blow as FC IfeanyiUbah were knocked out of the Caf Confederation Cup on Sunday.
The team lost to Egyptian club, Al-Masry, after a penalty shootout that made one wonder if players of the Nigerian clubside practised penalties in training.
The first leg in Nnewi had ended one-nil in favour of FC IfeanyiUbah through a Tame Medrano 87th minute goal., and needed to avoid defeat to advance.
The team needed a draw or scoring but not losing by more than one goal margin to qualify for the next round of the competition., and needed to avoid defeat to advance.
However, all hopes of an easy move to the next round were dashed in the first half as Al-Masry drew themselves level on aggregate., and needed to avoid defeat to advance.
With this, the tie went into penalties and Al-Masry won 3-0.
This loss follows Wikki Tourists exit from the continent after losing out o RSLAF o Sierra Leone even though they won their home game 1-0. The Bauchi team had lost the first leg 2-0.
All hopes of a continental trophy now lie with Rangers International and Rivers United who both qualified for the next stage of the Caf Champions League. They are to play Zamalek of Egypt and El-Merreikh of Sudan respectively.
The next round of matches are on the weekend of March 10-12 with the second leg occurring a week after.
