CAF Cup: Rangers Fall 1- 2 In Libreville
Rangers International Football Club of Enugu slummed to a slim 1 – 2 defeat in the hands of Gabonese opponents, AS Pelican in their CAF Confederation Cup’s the first leg, first round clash in Libreville.
The match, decided on Saturday, saw the hosts racing to a two-goal lead early in the game before Nnamdi Egbujuo reduced the deficit for the Nigerians before the break.
Though the Flying Antelopes fought back gamely to save the day, the much needed equalizer proved elusive as they fell short against a resolute Pelican defence.
Both teams continuously fired blanks in the second half as the Gabonese held on stoutly to their slim advantage.
With Egbujuo’s lifeline for the Flying Antelopes giving them a vital away goal, all the Nigerian flag-bearers require now is to score at least a goal in the reverse fixture without conceding to reach the next round of hostilities.
The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, popularly called “The Cathedral”
The Enugu-based team, Caretaker manager of Benedict Uguw, had admitted before the match that they had limited knowledge about the Gabonese
Rangers, who failed to make it out of the group stage in last season’s competition are hoping to become the first Nigerian clubside to win the CAF Confederation Cup.
Interestingly, this defeat has given Rangers the infamous tag as the first Nigerian team to lose competitively to a Gabonese club in the CAF club competition.