NPFL Champions, Rangers International of Enugu, have stepped up their preparations for their CAF CL 2024/2025 preliminary round encounter against Comoros Island champions, U.S Zilimadjou, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Flying Antelopes continued their preparations at the Cathedral on Monday, with all registered players taking part in the exercise under the guidance of head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu.
Following the session, the former MFM tactician said he was optimistic about starting the continental contest on a bright note despite losing some quality players during the off-season.
“I must say that the team is gradually getting to the level required to challenge positively in the CAF Champions League,” Ilechukwu told Rangers media.
“Playing both legs of the preliminary round in Nigeria is an advantage to us because it will reduce any form of stress in the team. In as much as Uyo is not our home, for us anywhere is home which is what we have built into the squad. We can play anywhere and get the positive result we want. We are prepared one hundred percent for this game because we know the significance of the match,” said coach Ilechukwu after the grueling session on Monday.
He added, “Team cohesion and bonding is gradually taking shape which is very important and we are getting better every other day which is what we have been working on in the past weeks. Remember, we are in a re-building process in the team and I am positive of what we shall achieve after the games.”
The encounter between the Nigerian Champions and Zilimadjou has been fixed for the ‘Nest of Champions’, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State which the Comoros Island side will play as hosts in the first leg encounter on Sunday, August 18, 2024, with the Nigerian champions hosting the return leg at the same venue on Friday, August 23, 2024.
The game is being played in Uyo because Zilimadjou’s 14,000-capacity Baumer Stadium in Moroni and Rangers’ Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu were not approved by CAF to host matches of its premier club competition.
