By Obaseki Anthony on September 29, 2019
The stage is set for the all-important 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup first round, second leg tie between Nigeria’ sole surviving side, Rangers International of Enugu, and visiting Gabonese side, A.S Pelican, at ‘The Cathedral’ – the 25,000-capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Information reaching Daily Sports Nigeria from the Coal City indicates that fireworks are guaranteed at The Cathedral as the Flying Antelopes are fired up to upturn the 1-2 loss they suffered in Libreville during the first leg decided two weeks ago.
Among those who have inspired the Nigerian representatives is former Super Eagles attacking sensation, Victor Ikpeba. A tweet on the club’s official Twitter handle disclosed that the two-time African Player of the Year was in Enugu during the week “and took time to offer words of encouragement to our players as we intensify preparations for the 2nd leg, 1st round CAFCC match with A.S Pelican of Gabon.”
The big game kicks off at 4PM today, Sunday, September 29, 2019, with tickets set at N100 for the popular side, N200 for the covered stands and N1,000 for the VIP Section.
Speaking earlier, Rangers Captain Temitope Olusesi, in a chat said that the players have put behind them the loss and focused on doing the needful in the return fixture in Enugu.
“This was a game we could have won easily but some element of luck did not favor us. We did all that was supposed to be done to even earn a draw but it was not to be our day. Be that as it may, we have put the loss behind and focus of the match in Enugu where we hope to earn a good win to get into the next round,” stated a highly optimistic Olusesi.
Lone goal scorer for the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Nnamdi Egbujuo, whose goal on 26 minutes halved the hosts’ 2-0 lead inside 24 minutes of play, said: “I am very positive about what will happen in the second leg in Enugu. Our target in Libreville was not achieved not because we did not play good football but luck was not on our side. I urge our fans to come out in their numbers to drum us to victory as we remain focused to emerge champions at the end of the competition.”
Nigeria’s seven-time league champions fell to a 2-1 defeat in the hands of 2019 Gabonese league runner-up through a 15th minute Desny Yanga Yanga effort just as the visitors’ Senegalese international, Pape Ousmane Sane, conceded an own-goal on 24 minutes but power playing Egbujuo reduced the deficit two minutes later with a beauty of a goal.
Source Daily Sports
Posted September 29, 2019
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