Head coach of Enugu Rangers, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has urged his players to fight harder after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against AS Sobemap from Benin Republic. This match was the first leg of their CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie held in Abeokuta.
Chidozie Iwundu scored first for the Nigeria Premier Football League champions in the 23rd minute at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena. However, Sobemap equalized early in the second half, leaving the tie open ahead of the return leg this weekend in Lomé, Togo.
After the match, Ilechukwu said the Flying Antelopes must improve their attacking play in the next game.
“They are a good side defensively. We tried to look at entering the box and scoring goals to open them up, probably try to attack rather than sit back. We will also look at what we can do in Lomé for the second leg, come close to the box, and find those chances,” he said.
“Last season, we converted so many aerial chances, and I think we still have the quality, but maybe we were unlucky today,” added the two-time NPFL winner.
The former Plateau United coach is hopeful about Rangers moving forward in the tournament.
“The truth is, a person who is on the ground does not have any other option but to fight and survive. It is going to be a Rangers win, technically or tactically, if we prepare very well; that is what it is going to be. But if we do not win, it is not going to be so good for us,” Ilechukwu said.
Rangers will need to win in Lomé, or secure a higher-scoring draw than 2-2, to move to the next round of the competition.
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