Rangers International of Enugu coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has solicited for support from Nigerians for his club and Lobi Stars of Makurdi, as they begin their search for continental glory next week.
Sports247.ng reports that Rangers will commence their campaign in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup on Wednesday, when The Flying Antelopes host Defense Force SC of Ethiopia at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
It will be the Coal City side’s first game in the preliminary stage of the second-tier continental competition and, while Ogunbote assured that his side will be worthy representatives for the nation, he is suing for unflinching support from all Nigerians.
Ogunbote also declared that it is an insult for a big football nation like Nigeria that they can now only present two teams in CAF club competitions on account of poor performance.
Nigeria lost a slot each in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup on the back of poor showing by the country’s clubs in recent editions of the competitions, and Ogunbote says the only way to get the lost glory back is by supporting Rangers and Lobi to do well this year.
Ogunbote opined: “It is insulting that a big football nation like Nigeria lost two slots from their four slots in the CAF club competitions. The only way to get it back is to start doing excellently well in the competitions.
“My appeal to Nigerians is that they should give their maximum support to both clubs flying the country’s flag in the Champions League and Confederation Cup, Lobi Stars and Rangers, morally and psychologically to enhance their performance.
“With their support and determination from the players the sky will be our limit as together we can climb mountains.
“We will always do our best to make the fans happy and by the grace of God the players, technical crew and the management will not disappoint during the competition.”
