Rangers have advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Beninese side Sobemap FC 5-4 on penalties. The Nigerian champions were held to a 1-1 draw by their hosts in the second leg of the first preliminary-round tie at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé on Friday, with the result leaving the aggregate score at 2-2.
Rangers took the lead in the 22nd minute through an own goal, but Sobemap FC fought back to level the score with 25 minutes remaining. Neither side could find a winning goal in regulation time, sending the tie straight into a penalty shootout. Rangers held their nerve to prevail 5-4 on penalties and secure their place in the next round. Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side will now face Algerian giants MC Alger in the second preliminary round.
There’s fire on the mountain. And the funny thing is that no one seems to be on the run. The champions of the NPFL played a Beninese club side twice at the very preliminary stage of the CAF CL and could not record a victory in either leg of the encounter…???