Total Confederation cup 2018/2019 hopefuls and seven time Nigerian league champions, Rangers International F.C of Enugu, Nigeria, is optimistic of kicking off the group stage of the competition on a positive note as Burkina-Faso cup champions, Salitas F.C come knocking.
The first group stage match scheduled for ‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu is expected to kickoff by 14:00 hours (2:00 pm) will be handled by FIFA World cup referee, Bakary Papa Gasama from Gambia.
After going six matches without a loss in the run up to the group stage of the competition with five wins and a draw, the Nigerian Aiteo cup champions ably tutored by coach Olugbenga Ogunbote has all it takes to kick start the group stage challenge on a good note against surprise team of the competition, Salitas, that was formed barely five years back (2014).
With pint-sized, Bright Silas; Ajani Ibrahim and Aguda Godwin at their imperious best, the chants of ‘Holy!! Holy!!! Holy!!!!, Enugu Rangers is another champion!!!!!’ is expected to rent the air waves at the end of the encounter expected to be watched by a capacity crowd.
Coach Ogunbote who expressed concerns over the change in time by CAF is full of optimism of overcoming any challenge in the form of Salitas F.C stressing, “If there was anything I could have done, it would be to change the time for the match but it is beyond the club management as it has been fixed by the organizers and we have to play our usual game with victory for a good start in our minds.”
Also speaking ahead of the encounter with visiting Salitas, ‘Fox in the Box’, Ajani Ibrahim said, “We have all it takes to do a good job in the match against Salitas and go as far as the final match of the competition. People look at us as a small team but I know that this year, Rangers will surprise everybody because we have a good coach, determination and above all unity in the team. We have our eyes set at both domestic and continental triumphs.”
Comparatively, both sides have done well in the run-up to this stage of the competition with the Nigerian side having a slight edge with the results churned out thus far with three home victories, two wins on the road and a draw scoring eleven goals and conceded three while the visitors won two and drew one home game while winning one and losing two games on the road going into the group stage.
Rangers will be banking on the defensive pair of Pape Ousmane Sane and Semiu Liadi to provide the needed cover for Ghanaian shot stopper, Nana Bonsu who is expected to be between the sticks for the rampaging Nigerian side while upfront, coach Ogunbote would be spoiled for options as all men are fit for selection.
The young visitors under the tutelage of coach Coulibaly Ladji would be ruing the absence of their inspirational skipper, pint-sized, Barro Youssouf Bagbeba, who is suspended for this tie but would hope that Zagre Ismael, Traore Abass, Badolo Cedric and To-Elisee Demankel come up with their ‘A’ game to contain the host’ fine form.
Rangers’ gaffer, Ogunbote would likely go for the traditional 4-4-2 formation to counter the 4-3-3 formation that is favored by his opposite, Coulibaly.
The ‘Flying Antelopes’ would not be lacking in maximum support from their vociferous supporters who have promised to be at the stands in their numbers to drum and cheer them to a resounding victory over the ‘Doves’ of Ouagadougou owned by Colonel Yacouba Ouedraggo as stated by Hon. Ibuchukwu Nwodo, Rangers supporters club chairman and S.A to Enugu state governor on Rangers Matters who said, “It has been long since we last featured at this stage of the competition and we are excited. Members are coming in their numbers to cheer, sing, dance and drum our team to a good start in the group stage of the competition.”
Wing-Wizard, Bright Silas who has four goals to his name in the competition said ahead of the game, “We know they are a good side but I believe we have all it takes to help us to a good start at this stage of the competition. We respect them but we don’t fear them.We shall play our normal game believing God for His grace and favor. Sure, we want to start the group stage very well and end the competition and a high.”
A very remarkable feature in the Group B of this stage of the competition is that all four clubs were originally entered for this Confederation cup with Tunisian giants, Etoile de Sahel enjoying been drawn by in the 2nd 1/16th round of the
competition.
