Rangers International head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu wants more fight from his players following Sunday’s stalemate against AS Sobemap of Benin in Abeokuta, aclsports.com reports.
The Nigerian champions failed to beat the Benin champions at the MKO Abiola Arena, leaving them with more work to do ahead of the return leg of the CAF Champions League first preliminary round tie.
Speaking after the game to 54FootballX, Ilechukwu said his side tried to break the Benin side down with their set-pieces, but they defended well, stressing they have to do more in the return leg.
”They are a good side defensively,” Ilechukwu said after the game.
”We tried to look at entering the box and scoring goals to open them up; probably try to attack rather than sit back. We will also look at what we can do in Lome for the second leg, come close to the box, and find those chances. Last season, we converted so many aerial chances, and I think we still have the quality, but maybe we were unlucky today,” added the two-time league winner, defending his side’s approach to the game.
On whether Rangers can progress, Ilechukwu responded, “The truth is, a person who is on the ground does not have any other option but to fight and survive. It is going to be a Rangers win, technically or tactically, if we prepare very well; that is what it is going to be. But if we don’t win, it is not going to be so good for us.”
Rangers will now have to step things up in the second leg in Lomé, Togo, this weekend if they want to advance into the next round.
