Enyimba triumphed and Kano Pillars were eliminated Sunday as Nigerian clubs experienced mixed fortunes in CAF Champions League preliminary round second legs. Forced to play behind closed doors because the competition organisers were dissatisfied with some renovations to their stadium, Enyimba crushed Rahimo of Burkina Faso 5-0 in the city of Aba.
Enyimba qualified 5-1 on aggregate and face Al Hilal of Sudan next month for a place in the group phase, where prize money kicks in. Reuben Bala and Stanley Dimgba bagged braces for Enyimba, the only Nigerian club to win the Champions League, and one of only four teams to achieve back-to-back titles.
Early and late goals gave Asante Kotoko of Ghana a 2-0 victory over Kano Pillars and a 4-3 overall win and a last-32 showdown with fellow former African champions Etoile Sahel of Tunisia.
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Kelvin Andoh netted for the Kumasi outfit after just three minutes and the Porcupine Warriors struck again 10 minutes from time when Emmanuel Gyamfi completed a brilliantly executed move.
Highly ambitious Simba of Tanzania were shock preliminary round casualties, losing on away goals to UD Songo of Mozambique after a 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam. Luis Miquissone gave Songo an early lead that they retained until three minutes from time when Tanzanian international Erasto Nyoni levelled from the penalty spot.