Enugu Rangers needed penalties to see off AS Sobemap and reach the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, where they now face Algeria’s MC Alger.
Enugu Rangers are through to the final qualifying round of the CAF Champions League, but it took a penalty shootout to get there. The reigning NPFL champions beat Benin Republic’s AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties after the tie finished level at 2-2 on aggregate, with a 1-1 draw in the second leg in Lomé, Togo on Friday, September 11.
Rangers had led their tie in Abeokuta, where Chidozie Iwundu put them ahead in the 23rd minute. Sobemap hit back through Emmanuel Ali shortly after half-time to send the tie into the second leg level at 1-1.
The second leg, played at a neutral venue in Lomé rather than in Benin Republic, again finished 1-1. Rangers edged in front through a first-half own goal before Sobemap’s Kevin Alavo headed in an equaliser in the 65th minute. With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, the tie went to penalties, where Rangers held their nerve to win the shootout 5-4 and book their place in the next round.
Rangers have been drawn against Algerian side MC Alger, who beat Niger’s ASN Nigelec 5-0 on aggregate, in the second and final preliminary round. That tie is scheduled for the 16-18 October and 23-25 October windows, giving Rangers roughly a month to prepare while continuing their domestic title defence in the NPFL.
How did Enugu Rangers beat Sobemap?
The tie finished 2-2 on aggregate after two 1-1 draws, and Rangers won 5-4 on penalties in the second leg in Lomé, Togo.
Who scored for Rangers in the tie against Sobemap?
Chidozie Iwundu scored in the first leg in Abeokuta. Rangers’ second-leg goal in Lomé came from a Sobemap own goal.
Who do Enugu Rangers play next in the CAF Champions League?
Algerian side MC Alger, in the second and final preliminary round scheduled for 16-18 October and 23-25 October.
Enugu Rangers Team Hub · Rangers, Rivers United Face Decisive CAF Second Legs
Sources: Bold Sports, NigFooty, Blueprint Newspapers, Africa Soccer.
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