Rangers Target Winning CAF Champions League Start Against AS Sobemap

By Dorcas Francis Koji

Enugu Rangers will be aiming for a strong start to their CAF Champions League campaign when they host Benin Republic champions AS Sobemap of Porto-Novo in the first leg of their preliminary-round clash on Sunday.

The Flying Antelopes will welcome the visitors at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, with the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions determined to secure a healthy advantage before the return fixture in Porto-Novo.

Rangers chairman, Amobi Ezeaku, said the team would approach the encounter with determination and a fighting spirit, insisting the players would battle until the final whistle.

“We will come out and push till the end in our clash against AS Sobemap of Porto-Novo on Sunday,” Ezeaku said.

The Rangers chairman pointed to the club’s dramatic NPFL opening-day draw against Katsina United as evidence of the team’s resilience after they scored a late equaliser to rescue a point.

“The evidence of our strong mentality was in our league opener against Katsina United, where we got the goal in the last minutes,” he added.

Rangers head coach and Super Eagles assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has also urged his players to put the disappointment of the league opener behind them and concentrate fully on the continental challenge.

“I will not blame my players (for the draw) because they are the best and we will give them the confidence to go again,” Ilechukwu said.

The coach believes the Champions League provides Rangers with an opportunity to make amends for their missed chances against Katsina United and begin their continental campaign on a positive note.

Rangers will be expected to make home advantage count in Abeokuta, particularly as they seek to build a cushion ahead of what could be a challenging return leg in Porto-Novo.

Ezeaku has meanwhile appealed to Rangers supporters to come out in large numbers and rally behind the team, stressing that the club is carrying the hopes of Nigerian football on the continental stage.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. We hope more fans will come out. This is Rangers representing the country,” he said.

Rangers will also be looking to balance their continental ambitions with their domestic campaign as they pursue success on multiple fronts this season.

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, where they will face the winner of the clash between ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic and Algerian giants MC Alger.