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Rangers International FC, Nigeria's league champions, have advanced to the second preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. They secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over U.S. de Zilimadjou, the champions of the Comoros Islands. Despite the close scoreline, Rangers struggled to finish off the tie in their home leg, held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, on August 23, 2024.
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The first leg ended with Rangers securing a 1-0 win away from home. In the second leg, however, they played to a 1-1 draw, clinging to their away goal advantage. The Nigerian side had numerous opportunities but required a penalty goal to avoid elimination and secure their passage to the next round.
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Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, acknowledged the difficulties his team faced in both matches. We are happy to have qualified for the next round, but we didn’t play to our full potential today against the Comoros champions. It shows how unpredictable football can be, said Ilechukwu. He also expressed concerns over the team's inability to convert chances and stressed the need for improvement ahead of the next round, where Rangers will face either St. Louis FC of Seychelles or Sagrada Esperança FC of Angola.
Ilechukwu is hopeful that the start of the new league season will help his team gel better and enhance their cohesiveness on the pitch.
Editorial
The progress of Rangers International FC to the next round of the CAF Champions League should be a moment of celebration for Nigerian football fans. However, the struggles they faced against a team from the Comoros Islands a nation not typically known for its footballing prowess are cause for concern. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable football can be, but also of the performance gaps that need to be addressed if Rangers are to compete at the highest level in African football.
We believe that Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu’s candid admission of the team’s struggles is a positive sign. Acknowledging shortcomings is the first step toward improvement, and it’s clear that the team has potential. However, potential alone is not enough. Rangers will need to sharpen their attack and finish off games more decisively, especially as they prepare to face tougher opponents in the next round.
The team's journey in the CAF Champions League is an opportunity for growth, not only for the players but for Nigerian football as a whole. Rangers carry the hopes of the country in this prestigious competition, and their performance will be closely watched by fans and critics alike. A shaky start doesn’t necessarily mean failure in fact, it could be the push they need to step up their game. As the new league season approaches, we believe Rangers will find the cohesion and consistency needed to perform better in the coming rounds.
Rangers' advancement to the next stage is commendable, but the road ahead will require more focus, discipline, and clinical finishing. We are confident that with the right adjustments, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ can soar higher in this competition and make Nigeria proud.
Did You Know?
The CAF Champions League was first established in 1964 and is Africa’s premier club competition.
Rangers International FC is one of the oldest football clubs in Nigeria, having been founded in 1970.
U.S. de Zilimadjou, Rangers' opponents, are the reigning champions of Comoros Islands’ top football league.
The Godswill Akpabio Stadium, where their home leg, has a seating capacity of over 30,000.
Fidelis Ilechukwu, Rangers' head coach, previously managed MFM FC, guiding them to a historic second-place finish in the Nigerian league.