Rangers intensify preparations ahead of CAF Champions League encounter against Comoros Island champions
Ahead of the first leg, preliminary round of Total Energies CAF Champions League 2024/2025 encounter against Comoros Island champions, U.S Zilimadjou, Nigeria champions, Rangers International F.C under coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, have intensified preparations with all registered players taking part in the rigorous exercise, Monday, August 12, 2024.
Coach Ilechukwu and his lieutenants were in full business mood as they took the players through various drills to ensure their readiness for the task at hand which is fixed for the ‘Nest of Champions’, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State which the Comoros Island side chose to host the first leg encounter with the Nigerian champions hosting the return leg at the same venue on Friday, August 23, 2024.
The double coach-of-the-season 2024 award-winning highly traveled tactician said that he was optimistic about starting the continental contest on a bright note despite losing some quality players that helped the ‘Flying Antelopes’ emerge league champions due largely to the fact that some equally gifted footballers have put pen to paper to defend the badge of the club this season.
‘I must say that the team is gradually getting to the level required to challenge positively in the CAF Champions League. 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 further stated, ‘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.’
Comoros Island league champions, U.S Zilimadjou opted to play its home game in Nigeria after their 14,000 capacity, Baumer Stadium, Moroni, was not approved by CAF to host matches of its premier club competition.
