Latest News
Ilechukwu backs Rangers to overcome Sobemap in CAF Champions League
Super Eagles assistant coach and Rangers International head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu believes his team will defeat AS Sobemap in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first-round tie, despite being held to a 1-1 draw in the opening match.
Rangers took the lead through Chidozie Iwundu in the first half at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Sunday. However, AS Sobemap responded shortly after the restart and held on for a draw after the Nigerian champions failed to convert several chances.
The result leaves the tie delicately poised before the return meeting in four days. Rangers must now win in the second leg if they are to guarantee their place in the next round of the competition.
Ilechukwu remains confident that the reigning NPFL champions can secure the result they need, but acknowledged that his side’s wastefulness in front of goal was a major reason they did not win the first fixture.
The Rangers coach also rejected the suggestion that the outcome was influenced by officiating, saying the decisive issue was his players’ inability to make their opportunities count.
That concern has emerged early in the season. Rangers were also unable to take advantage of their chances in their opening NPFL match against Katsina United, and Ilechukwu admitted that the repeated failure to finish attacks is becoming a worrying pattern.
The club’s attacking return has been modest, with Rangers scoring only twice in their first two competitive matches of the campaign.
Despite that record, Ilechukwu believes his team are capable of turning the tie in their favour. He would be especially confident of a Rangers victory if AS Sobemap use the same defensive approach in the second leg.
The former Heartland coach said Rangers would prepare for the return fixture with the same mentality, while also confirming that some important players remain unavailable because of injury.
Ilechukwu insisted, however, that those absences could not be used to explain away a failure to progress. As the nine-time NPFL champions, Rangers will be expected to produce a more effective attacking performance if they are to avoid an early exit from the CAF Champions League.
“Rangers will beat Sobemap,” Ilechukwu said as he backed his side to respond in the return fixture.
Rangers and AS Sobemap will meet again on 11 September. The winner of the tie will advance to the next stage of the competition.
