International Football
Remo Stars’ loss to Enugu Rangers headlines CAF’s African Club Round-up
In this Monday’s review of the domestic leagues in African countries, CAF’s website focused on the duel between Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars as the major event in the continent. Remo Stars’ unbeaten streak was suddenly terminated as the team had hoped to strengthen their hold on the top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Remo Stars had gone on a 77-day winning streak and inflicted home and away defeats on some of Nigeria’s legacy clubs.
Their Sunday encounter with Enugu Rangers ended in a 2-1 loss. CAF website captured it thus:
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
NIGERIA
Remo Stars lost to Enugu Rangers in the Professional Football League on Sunday but still have a comfortable eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Rangers beat them 2-1 in Enugu on Sunday allowing them to move into third spot and to within two points of second-placed Shooting Stars, who lost 2-1 to Heartland in Owerri on Sunday.
Remo Stars had been unbeaten in their last eight league games but were undone through goals in the first 50 minutes from Isaac Saviour and Kingsley Maduforo, before a late consolation from Hadi Haruna set up a nervy conclusion to the contest.
Two of the three goals in Shooting Stars’ loss at Heartland came from the penalty spot after Chukwuma Agor had the hosts ahead with a deflected effort.
Stars equalised from the spot through Mustapha Adams, who had been fouled and got up off the grass to convert.
Four minutes later, the home side was awarded a penalty and although Stars goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal saved John Bassey’s kick, the referee ordered a retake with Bassey making no mistake the second time around.
Rivers United slipped to fourth after a 1-0 loss to Enyimba in Aba where Imo Odot scored the game’s only goal.
ALGERIA
A five-goal thriller saw Mouloudia Alger edge JS Kabylie 3-2 in Algiers on Thursday and restore a two-point advantage at the top of the standings as Ligue 1 returned to regular action after a six-week break.
The club competing in the CAF club competition have played catch-up games throughout January and MCA were, therefore, a touch sharper than their visitors in the ‘classico’ with Tayeb Meziani’s 78th minute goal proving decisive.
MCA were 2-0 up after 65 minutes through Akram Bouras’ deflected effort and Zakaria Naidji’s tuck away.
New Russian signing Ivan Ignatjev came off the bench to score JSK’s first with a headed goal in the 72nd minute and a late consolation came from Redouane Berkane.
Chabab Belouizdad had gone top the previous evening with their 3-0 home win over Khenchela in Algiers in a dream start for new coach Sead Ramovic, who joined from Tanzania’s Young Africans. MC Alger sit on 31 points from 16 games and Belouizdad on 29.
In third place are USM Alger on 26, having dropped points in a goalless draw at bottom of the log US Biskra on Friday.
More key games are ahead in midweek with MC Alger at Paradou and Belouizdad away against Entente Setif on Thursday.
ZAMBIA
The top five teams in the Super League all won at the weekend, but defending champions Red Arrows were the big losers as they fell seven points behind after losing 1-0 to leaders ZESCO United as Pasco Phiri scored the only goal of the game in Ndola on Saturday.
ZESCO have 46 points from 24 games, two more than Kabwe Warriors in second place, and a further two ahead of third-placed Power Dynamos. Nkana and Nkwazi both have 40 points.
Warriors were 1-0 winners in Kabwe on Saturday as they edged Zanaco thanks to a strike seven minutes from full-time by Simon Tonga.
Power Dynamos claimed a 2-0 victory at Atletico Lusaka on Saturday to keep their title chances alive as Fredrick Mulambia and a penalty from Brian Masanyinga gave them the points while Nkana defeated 10-man Green Eagles 1-0 as Clement Mwape’s goal on the stroke of halftime in Kitwe on Sunday proved the difference.
UGANDA
Vipers extended their lead in the Premier League after two successive wins after the campaign’s restart last week.
They beat Marrons 1-0 in Kitende last Monday and followed that up with a 2-0 away triumph over Kampala Capital City Authority on Sunday.
It was a fifth successive league win for Vipers, who are now three clear of National Enterprise Corporation, who dropped points in a 1-1 away draw against Police in Wakiso on Sunday.
The two have a major points advantage over the rest of the pack with Vipers 10 points ahead of third-placed Uganda Revenue Authority.
MADAGASCAR
AS Fanalamanga, with seven points, lead after three rounds of the national championship despite being held at home in Ambatondrazaka by Elgeco Plus on Saturday.
The 0-0 draw moved Elgeco to five points. Fosa Juniors are third with four points but were held 0-0 by Disciples on Sunday in Mahajanga.
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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