Rangers International FC head coach Salisu Yusuf says he is confident of a good performance from his wards when they face Al Masry in the Total CAF Confederation Cup (TotalCAFCC) on Sunday.
Yusuf and his Rangers side are in Alexandria, Egypt where they will face their second Egyptian opponents in eight days in the group stage of the competition.
The Flying Antelopes lost their group opener at home to Pyramids (also of Egypt) last Sunday and they know they have their work cut out for them on Sunday.
“No doubt we did not start the group stage the way we wanted. We made some mistakes and got punished,” began Salisu.
“However, that has passed and we look forward positively to the second match against Al-Masry. We are determined and confident of playing a good game that will fetch us a good result,” he added.
2016 Nigerian champions Rangers have back in their squad a few of their experienced stars who missed last Sunday’s loss to Pyramids.
Centre back Uche John Akubueze, midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and forward Ifeanyi George – all former Enyimba players – have returned from varying degrees of injuries and are in Alexandria with the side.
“Sure, the return of some experienced players from injury will to a large extent help our push in Egypt against a side that won away from home and also won a domestic cup match on Thursday.
“We appreciate the fact that our opponents are good but we are very determined and prepared to get something from the encounter,” stressed the former Enyimba coach.
The game between Al Masry and Rangers will hold at the Alexandria Stadium – venue of Super Eagles’ group stage games at last summer’s Africa Cup of Nations – and will kick off at 5pm (Nigerian time).
