It was chaos, drama, and heartbreak rolled into one as Nigeria’s representatives opened their CAF Confederation Cup campaigns on Sunday. Kwara United fell narrowly in a seven-goal shootout, while Abia Warriors were pegged back late at home.
In Kumasi, the Baba Yara Stadium erupted early when Asante Kotoko’s Emmanuel Antwi fired the hosts ahead in the 18th minute. Kwara, undeterred, replied through John Atule in the 34th to silence the home crowd. Yet the first half refused to end quietly. Albert Amoah restored Kotoko’s advantage right before halftime, only for Atule—on a hot streak—to level once more in stoppage time.
Then came the storm. Barely two minutes into the second half, Joseph Ablorh pounced to edge Kotoko in front again. By the 73rd minute, Amoah had doubled his tally from the spot, giving the Ghanaians a two-goal cushion. Kwara, though, were not beaten. With five minutes left, Abdulraheem Shola struck to make it 4-3 and set up a nervy finish.
Coach Tunde Sanni’s men threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, but Kotoko clung to their slim lead. The tie now heads to Ilorin on September 27, where Kwara must overturn the deficit to keep their continental adventure alive.
Elsewhere in Umuahia, Abia Warriors thought they had done enough. Emeka Obioma’s 21st-minute strike had given the hosts early control over Malian visitors Djoliba. The Warriors dominated large spells, the crowd sensing a priceless first-leg advantage.
But football can be cruel. Just two minutes from time, Djoliba struck back, snatching a late equaliser and, crucially, an away goal. That 1-1 draw leaves the Nigerians under pressure heading into the return leg in Bamako.
For both sides, the story remains unfinished. Kwara United’s resilience in a chaotic 4-3 defeat keeps their hopes alive, while Abia Warriors now carry the weight of needing to score on the road. Nigerian fans will be watching anxiously as the next chapter unfolds in the Confederation Cup.
