A dramatic possibility from Friday’s CAF Confederation Cup play-off draw has tipped Rangers International of Enugu to come out against Gor Mahia of Kenya, which another Nigerian side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi sent packing in the CAF Champions League.
Based on permutations that saw a similar scenario with Djoliba of Mali last year, when they met two Nigerian clubs in the knock-out stages of both continental competitions, pundits are pointing at the possibility of Rangers getting Gor Mahia from Friday’s draw ceremony in Cairo, Egypt.
Footballlive.ng, however, can report that such would be a long shot, as their are several other permutations facing The Flying Antelopes, who are into the pot after getting the better of USM Bel Abbes of Algeria 2-0 on aggregate, following a goalless draw away in the first leg.
Consequently, on Friday, Rangers will know their opposition in the CAF Confederation Cup playoff, which is the last hurdle leading to the group stage of the continental second-tier club tournament.
However, Rangers will avoid teams from the CAF Confederation Cup, like Zamalek (Egypt), Raja Casablanca (Morocco), KCCA (Uganda), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) and RS Berkane (Morocco).
Others are Hussein Dey (Algeria), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Salitas FC (Burkina Faso), New Star FC (Cameroon), Ashante Kotoko SC (Ghana), FC San Pédro (Côte d’Ivoire), Hassania Agadir (Morocco), Mukura Victory Sports (Rwanda) and Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa).
Aside Kenya’s Gor Mahia, also possible for Rangers are ZESCO United (Zambia), Al-Hilal (Sudan), Coton Sport (Cameroon), Stade Malien (Mali), Al-Ahly Benghazi (Libya),Nkana (Zambia) and AS Otôho (Congo Republic).
The rest are: Jimma Aba Jifar (Ethiopia), Bantu FC (Lesotho), Al-Nasr (Libya), Ittihad Tanger (Morocco), African Stars FC (Namibia), ASC Diaraf (Senegal) and Vipers (Uganda).
The 15 victorious teams in the playoff will join reigning champions Étoile du Sahel in the group stage whose draw will be staged next January 21.
