CAF Champions League: Rangers survive Sobemap scare, advance to next round

Enugu Rangers have secured qualification to the next round of the CAF Champions League after overcoming Benin Republic champions AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time in the second leg of the preliminary round in Lome on Friday.

The result saw the Flying Antelopes progress 6-5 on aggregate after both games ended at 2-2, with the Nigerian champions showing composure in the crucial penalty shoot-out to keep their continental campaign alive. Project reports

The qualification comes after Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Sobemap in the first leg at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on September 6. Chidozie Iwundu had given Rangers the lead before Emmanuel Ali restored parity for the visitors shortly after the restart.

The Rangers hold their nerve in a dramatic shootout

With the two teams level after the return leg, the tie had to be settled on penalties, where Rangers ultimately prevailed 5-4.

The penalty victory capped a tense encounter for the Nigerian champions, who had traveled to Lomé knowing that anything less than a good performance could bring an early end to their Champions League journey.

Rangers kept their composure when it mattered most, converting enough spot-kick chances to overcome champions Benin and secure passage to the next stage of the competition.

The win also means the Flying Antelopes avoided the disappointment of giving up their continental campaign after being held to a 1-1 draw in their opening match.

Difficult road to qualification

Rangers’ qualification was anything but simple.

The Nigerian champions had entered the match with the advantage of national pedigree, having emerged as Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League following their success in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

However, in the first leg Sobemap showed that they would not be intimidated by the occasion.

The Benin team recovered from the first goal conceded in Abeokuta, with Emmanuel Ali scoring shortly after half-time to give his team a valuable 1-1 draw. The result leaves the match in the balance ahead of the return match in Lomé.

The return leg then produced another closely contested match, with neither team managing to establish a decisive lead during normal time.

The stalemate ultimately forced a draw in the penalty shootout, where Rangers showed the mental strength needed to survive the pressure.

The flying antelopes continue their continental journey

Qualification represents a major boost for Rangers as the club continues its campaign on the African continent.

The Flying Antelopes are one of Nigeria’s established representatives in continental football and entered the Champions League as the country’s champions.

Their progress gives Nigeria another reason to celebrate on the continental stage, particularly after the disappointment of seeing some Nigerian clubs struggle to convert promising performances into positive results in African competitions.

Rangers will now turn their attention to the next round, where they are expected to face Algerian giants MC Alger.

The Algerian team pose a much bigger challenge to the Nigerian champions, with Rangers needing to raise their game further if they are to continue pursuing a place in the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.

The Rangers face a bigger test against MC Alger

The Flying Antelopes’ next assignment against MC Alger is expected to provide a much sterner test of their Continental credentials.

Having survived a highly competitive preliminary round against Sobemap, Rangers will now need greater efficiency in front of goal, defensive discipline and concentration if they are to overcome the Algerian giants.

The Nigerian champions will also draw confidence from the way they handled the pressure in Lomé.

Winning on penalties away from home can provide a significant psychological boost, particularly for a team competing in a tournament where small margins often determine who advances and who drops out.

The coaching staff and players are therefore expected to use the experience against Sobemap as preparation for the tougher challenge ahead.

Nigerians celebrate flying antelopes

The victory has already sparked excitement among Nigerian fans, with the Flying Antelopes earning praise for their resilience and ability to withstand the pressure of the decisive shootout.

For Rangers the objective now goes beyond simply qualifying for the next round.

The club will look to make a deep run in the CAF Champions League and restore its reputation as one of Nigeria’s major forces in continental football.

The success of the penalties in Lomé ensured that the Flying Antelopes remained firmly in contention.

Attention will now turn to the meeting with MC Alger, where Rangers will face another stern test of their continental ambitions.

For the Nigerian champions, however, the message from Lomé is clear: they are still standing, and their African adventure continues.