Nigerian side Rangers International on Friday night arrived in Cairo ahead of Sunday’s Total CAF Confederation Cup (TotalCAFCC) clash with ambitious Egyptian side Pyramids.
A contingent of the former Nigerian league champions left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Friday aboard an Egypt Air flight at about 3:45pm Nigerian time and landed at the Cairo International Airport at about 10:15pm local time (9:15pm in Nigeria).
Rangers lost the reverse fixture of Sunday’s game 1-3 to the Egyptian side who are unbeaten in this season’s Confederation Cup and have already sealed a place in the quarter finals after winning their first four matches in Group A.
Coached by Salisu Yusuf, Rangers will be without suspended centre back Uche John as well as defensive duo Ugwu Uwadiegwu and Pape Ousmane Sane but Tope Olusesi, who was sent off in the reverse fixture will captain the side.
Sunday’s game will hold at the Cairo International Stadium, venue of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final in the Heliopolis with Ali Mohamed Adelaide from Comoros the centre referee.
Yusuf told Rangers Media before departure that they will have to live above the circumstances.
“Yes, we expect a tough encounter from the Egyptian side that caused us our first defeat in the group stage at their backyard but we are resolved to make a positive impact in the match.
“Sure, it would have been great if we are going for this match with a full complement of our registered players but injuries and card suspensions would not allow for that.
“Despite the obvious fact that we are going without the full compliment of players, I trust the ones that made the cut to rise and be counted when the chips are down.
“Pyramids are certainly through to the quarter-finals while we still have a lot of catching up to do. I am happy that our team is gradually taking shape and this will be on display on Sunday in Cairo,” said Salisu.
Rangers will be relying on in-form winger Ibrahim Olawoyin and attacker Ifeanyi George as they hope against hope to secure a place in the final eight.
