Nigeria’s campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup came to an early halt on Sunday, as Kwara United and Abia Warriors both bowed out at the preliminary stage.

In Abeokuta, Kwara United failed to overturn their first-leg deficit against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, who secured a 1-0 win to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Malian side Djoliba in Bamako, crashing out 2-1 on aggregate.

At the MKO Abiola Stadium, the Harmony Boys started brightly and created the first real chance of the afternoon in the seventh minute. Kotoko responded through Lord Adabo, whose thunderous strike whistled just wide.

Kwara pressed on, and a corner from Seun Ogunribide midway through the half caused panic in Kotoko’s box, with goalkeeper Camara Mohamed spilling the delivery into the path of Aliu Salawudeen. However, with the crowd already on their feet, Salawudeen blazed over, letting the visitors off the hook.

The decisive moment came in the 54th minute when Kotoko’s Hubert Gyau pounced on a defensive lapse, dispossessing his marker before firing a venomous volley past Suraj Ayeleso. Kwara United pushed for a response, and Bright Babatunde almost restored hope in the 67th minute after rounding the goalkeeper, but Kotoko’s defence recovered just in time to block his effort.

Over in Bamako, Abia Warriors could not build on their 1-1 home draw from the first leg. Djoliba struck the crucial blow in the return fixture, edging the Nigerians 1-0 to complete a 2-1 aggregate triumph.

With both sides eliminated, Nigeria’s hopes in the CAF Confederation Cup ended at the very first hurdle.