Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

Mixed fortunes for Nigerian clubs across CAF competitions

Plateau United and MFM FC made bright CAF Champions League debuts, while Akwa United are on the brink of elimination from the Confederation Cup following a disappointing home defeat during a mixed weekend for Nigeria's sides.

Plateau United 3 - 0 Eding Sport

In Jos, reigning Nigeria league champions Plateau United earned a comfortable home win against Eding Sport to hold the advantage ahead of the second leg, in a clash between two debuting sides.

Coach Kennedy Boboye resisted the urge to start all three of his representatives from the Super Eagles' African Nations Championship campaign, with only Daniel Itodo used in the starting XI.

Tosin Omoyele had a penalty saved but Oghene Elijah tucked home the rebound to open the scoring for the reigning Nigerian champions.

Sunday Ingbede scored the second goal in the 86th minute, before Raphael Ayagwa set up substitute Joshua Obaje for the third at the death.

It's a result that leaves troubled Eding with a mountain to climb in front of their own fans if they're to progress.

AS Real Bamako 1 - 1 MFM FC

MFM FC defied the form book to earn a valuable away draw in their debut game on the continent, a result secured despite the absence of Sikiru Olatunbosun.

The Nigerians headed into the tie on the back of a four-away-game losing streak in the domestic top flight, but managed to pull off a big result in Mali.

They got off to a dream start after 15 minutes when Akinyemi Nojeem netted the club's first continental goal against the run of play.

However, AS Real Bamako levelled two minutes later through Miakib Giscard's powerful header to cut short the Nigerian's advantage.

It was a positive and encouraging result for Fidelis Ilechukwu's side, although they paid the price as Adekunle Adegboyega, Udeh Zinte and Chukwuka Onuwa all sustained injuries.

Akwa United 1 - 2 Banjul Hawks

Akwa United began their CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a home defeat by Banjul Hawks, a result which have left the Nigerian team still awaiting their first home triumph in the competition...and facing early continental elimination.

The Promise Keepers had the quality to cruise past their Gambian opposition, while their recent league form suggested that they'd make easy work of their adversaries.

However, they trailed to two first-half goals, from Muhammed Jallow - the visitors' first attempt on goal - and Lamin Charity.

Victor Mbaoma reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute, but Akwa were denied a draw late on when Ubong Friday hit the post, leaving the Aiteo Cup winners with it all to do in the return leg.

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