Rangers Int’l head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has assured fans that his team is fully prepared to finish the job in Angola against Sagrada Esperanca in the second-leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary qualifying round.

On Friday, Rangers kept their group stage dreams alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sagrada Esperanca, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

It was Kazeem Ogunleye’s 78th-minute strike that made the difference, as his shot sailed past Leonardo Mutunda, the goalkeeper for the Angolan side.

Ilechukwu Reflects on the Match

In his post-match remarks, Coach Ilechukwu acknowledged the challenges his team faced and stressed the importance of staying focused for the second leg.

“It was a game we planned very well but I am a bit disappointed with how the players approached the match from the beginning. We threw away many chances but we hope not to put the players under more pressure.

“We need to encourage them because this game is delicately poised. We are happy to have won with a solitary goal and hopefully, we would get our acts right in Luanda and need to score. Anything is possible.”

He also praised the visitors for their tactical approach, especially in the second half.

“The visitors are a good side as they tried to neutralize us in the second half. It is clear that they have players that can give us problems but we equally have what it takes to wrap the contest in Luanda, Angola.”

Up Next for Rangers!

Enugu Rangers will head to Angola for the return leg at the 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda on Sunday, September 22.

With a narrow 1-0 advantage, Ilechukwu’s men will need to be at their best to secure a spot in the CAF Champions League group stage.