Guardian

• Heartland on top of NPFL table

Enugu Rangers could only muster a 1-0 victory over Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in the first leg of their Confederation Cup tie Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The ‘Flying Antelopes,’ who were eliminated from the CAF Champions League by Angola’s Recreativo Libolo, got the only goal of the game through Ugonna Uzochukwu, who was also sent off for ungentlemanly behaviour.

Uzochukwu, a defender, scored his goal in the 87th minute and promptly got a yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his strike. He was dismissed minutes later when he was booked again, meaning he will miss the return leg in a fortnight.

Coach Okay Emordi’s side went into the game without their stars, Sunday Mba and Chigozie Agbim, who are in the Super Eagles training camp in Germany.

Sfaxien attacked from the onset, but national U-29 goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel, stood between them and goals in the early part of the game.

The Tunisians held out until the dying minutes of the match when Uzochukwu prodded the ball from close range.

Meanwhile, Heartland of Owerri have for the first time this season climbed to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table.

The ‘Naze Millionaires’ defeated ABS of Ilorin 1-0 in Owerri yesterday to get to the same number of points with Kano Pillars, but they have the lead on superior goals advantage.

Amarachi Ukaegbu scored Heartland’s only goal through a direct free kick in the 34th minute to give the homers the maximum three points.

In other games played Sunday, Sani Modu scored to lead Gombe United to a 1- 0 defeat of El Kanemi Warriors, just as Kaduna United beat Lobi Stars also by a lone goal.

In Ilorin, Kwara United and Dolphins played out a 1-1 draw, but Enyimba was two goals better than Bayelsa United in Aba.

Akwa United held Nasarawa United goalless in Lafia, while Sharks recorded a rare victory when they defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0.

In Yenagoa, Nembe City beat Wikki Tourists 2-1, while Warri Wolves defeated Kano Pillars 2-1.