Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C has qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/2025 second preliminary round with a 2-1 aggregate win over Comoros Islands champions, U.S de Zilimadjou in the first preliminary round of the premier continental club competition.
Rangers played 1-1 draws in their home leg of the two legs played in the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo of the first preliminary round played on Friday, August 23, 2024 as the ‘Flying Antelopes cling on to their away goal advantage having won the first leg 1-0 to survive a nervy end in the match against AS Zilimandjou of Comoros.
It was a struggle for the Nigerian side as Rangers after they failed to finish off the Comoros side, against the expectations of the fans.
Rangers needed a Penalty goal to qualify despite creating numerous scoring chances to finish off the game.
Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, admitted the struggles of his team over the two legs and says more work still has to be done for the team to survive the next round and qualify for the group stage of the competition.
“We are happy to have qualified for the next round of the competition even though I believe that we did not up our game today against the Comoros champions. This goes a long way to show the mystery of the game of football.
“Sure, I am worried at our rate of converting chances but I am optimistic of getting over this challenge before the next window for new registration. ”
“I believe that the start of the new league season will go a long way in helping us stabilize with regards to cohesive play from my players.” Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu told the press after the match.
After Flying Antelopes wobble past AS Zilimandjou, the team will now face either St. Louis F.C of Seychelles or Sagrada Esperanca F.C of Angola in the next round.
The Angolan side won the first leg 1-0 away from home against the Seychelles side last week and will play the return leg this weekend.
