Nigerian champions Rangers International failed to beat AS Sobemap of Benin in Abeokuta, playing out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their CAF Champions League first round encounter on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Chidozie Iwundu opened the scoring for the Flying Antelopes before the visitors grabbed the equaliser when the defender turned the ball into his own net early in the second half.
Playing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena due to renovations at their home ground in Enugu, Rangers failed to trouble the Benin champions in the drab affair.
Fidelis Ilechukwu missed captain Chidiebere Nwobodo for this game, while new signings Emo James, Folarin Temitope and Chimezie Izuchukwu were all handed starts in the encounter.
Rangers struggled to assert themselves in the game, as the visitors looked comfortable early on. However, they threatened from set pieces and they got their goal from one of Daniel Itodo’s long throws.
As the away side failed to clear their lines from the throw in, defender Iwundu pounced on a loose ball in the area to poke home for the lead. After that goal, Rangers barely threatened again as the half came to an end.
A minute after the interval, the visitors found themselves leveled after Iwundu turned the ball past his goalkeeper from a wicked cross from the left.
Rangers upped the ante afterwards, but the visitors barely had troubles dealing with those attacking actions. The Flying Antelopes went close multiple times from setpieces, and even sent an effort against the cross-bar late on, but they could find the decisive winning goal.
Sobemap were pleased with the draw and away goal and they will see that as an advantage ahead of the return leg next weekend.
Image: RangersIntFC
