Rangers Must Win Big, Says Ezeaku

General Manager of Rangers International, Amobi Ezeaku, says the Nigeria Premier Football League champions need to stay focused in the first round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. They will start their campaign against Benin Republic’s SOBEMAP in Abeokuta today, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This season, Rangers are using the MKO Abiola Sports Arena as their temporary home ground. This is due to renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

After drawing 1-1 in their opening game of the 2026/27 NPFL season last weekend, they are now looking ahead to this continental match. Their visitors have also been watching them during their first NPFL game against Katsina United.

Before the first leg of the preliminary round, Ezeaku hopes for strong support from fans across Nigeria. He believes the team must succeed in this match.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. On Sunday, we expect that more fans will come out from Abeokuta, Lagos, Ikenne, and many from nearby states. We have to grind out the result, win convincingly and advance.

“We want to take each game as it comes. We have our eyes on the Champions League and we are not losing focus.”

Rangers are returning to Africa’s top club competition. They want to make an impact that honors the club's history in continental football. Their biggest win was the 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup.

Last time they reached the preliminary round, they did not make it to the group stage after winning the NPFL title in 2024.

If the Flying Antelopes move forward this time, they will face the winners of the match between ASN Nigelec from Niger Republic and Algerian team MC Alger in the second preliminary round.