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Rangers will fight more after CAFCL draw – Ilechukwu

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Enugu Rangers drew 1-1 with AS Sobemap of Benin Republic in the first leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie.
  • Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said Rangers must improve their attack and create more chances in the return leg in Lomé.
  • Rangers need a win or a draw of at least 3-3 to advance, according to the article’s stated qualification conditions.

Enugu Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu says his players must fight harder in Lomé after a 1-1 draw with AS Sobemap in the opening leg of their CAF Champions League tie.

Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers took the lead through Chidozie Iwundu in the 23rd minute at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Sobemap equalised early in the second half, leaving the first-round preliminary tie open before the return match this weekend.

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.

· Fidelis IlechukwuThe Rangers coach said his team needed to improve its attacking play in the return leg.

Ilechukwu said Rangers needed a more effective attacking approach. “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.

· Fidelis IlechukwuIlechukwu said Rangers retained the quality to score despite the draw.

The coach said Rangers still possessed the quality to convert more opportunities, despite failing to win at home. “Last season, we converted so many aerial chances, and I think we still have the quality, but maybe we were unlucky today,” he added.

Ilechukwu remained confident about Rangers’ chances, but acknowledged the stakes in the return fixture. “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,” he said. Rangers must win in Lomé, or draw 3-3 or higher, to reach the next round.

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.

· Fidelis IlechukwuHe expressed confidence in Rangers while stressing the importance of winning the second leg.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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