CAF CL: Rangers International vs Sagrada Esperanca- Match Preview

Rangers International of Enugu will Mon Friday, September 13, 2024, return to continental action in the first leg of the CAF Champions League, second preliminary round fixture against Sagrada Esperanca at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo by 15:00 WAT.

In the first preliminary round, Rangers, by a whisker, edged US Zilimadjou of Comoros 2-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 1-0, with the second leg tie ending 1-1. Their opposition, two-time Angolan League winners, Sagrada Esperanca, had a smooth sail, obliterating Saint Louis Suns United of Seychelles 4-0 on aggregate.

Rangers have a strong history against Angolan sides, having played six times, winning four, drawing once, and losing just once, and will look to use that to their advantage as they face a much tougher challenge in the second round.

Having made three appearances in the CAF Champions League from 2006 to 2017, The Nigerian champions, led by interim Super Eagles assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, would be looking to advance past the second round in the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history. In 2006 and 2017, they exited the competition in the first round, while in 2013 they could not get past the Second Round.

The Flying Antelopes will have to make history to snatch the coveted group stage ticket and keep Nigeria in the Champions League, following Remo Stars’ exit in the first round.