Super Eagles coach makes bold Rangers claim ahead of CAF Champions League clash

Super Eagles assistant coach and Rangers International head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has insisted his players will recover from their disappointing NPFL draw against Katsina United as they turn their attention to the CAF Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports.

Rangers opened the defence of their NPFL title with a 1-1 draw against Katsina United at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday, needing a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser to rescue a point.

The result was particularly frustrating for Ilechukwu's side, who created opportunities but struggled to convert them before a late goal, aided by a goalkeeper error, spared the champions an opening-day defeat.

Pure determination. 💥
The late leveler that sealed the point on Matchday 1. We keep building! 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/ladUZNlydj

— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) August 31, 2026

Rangers have little time to dwell on the result, with their continental campaign beginning against Benin champions AS Sobemap in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

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The first leg of the clash will be played on the 6th of September at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, with kick-off slated for 4:00 PM WAT.

Fidelis Ilechukwu confident Rangers will recover

Ilechukwu admitted that the result against Katsina United was not what his team had planned for, but he refused to read too much into the fact that Rangers had previously started title-winning seasons without winning their opening fixture.

“Seriously, I don't know, but it was a game we prepared for, we planned for three points, but at the end of the day it didn't work that way,” Ilechukwu told Soccernet.ng.

“The game looks like three points because of the late goal, but I know we'll recover.”

The Rangers boss also explained his decision to make four changes at once during the encounter, acknowledging that his team failed to execute the combinations he expected in attack.

“Sometimes, football is all about risk. When we needed to take, we took it,” he said.

“What I expected the players to do was to come out and play combinations, but it didn't happen because they were selfish.

“I won't blame my players because they're the best and we'll give them the confidence to go again.”

That confidence will be important with Rangers now facing a completely different challenge against Sobemap.

Hello, September. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/PbZ84fjI5I

— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) September 1, 2026

Super Eagles coach warns Sobemap

The Super Eagles assistant coach is already looking beyond the domestic disappointment and believes the Champions League tie provides his players with the perfect opportunity to respond.

“It's going to be crazy because the management of Sobemap are here, but there's no problem because we won't give up on our boys,” the 48-year-old continued.

“This is the time they need us to tell them that this game [against Katsina United] is just a mistake and we'll work to change it on Sunday.

“Maybe on Sunday, all the goals we failed to score, we'll convert them.”

Rangers' preparation for the continental campaign also comes with the knowledge that Sobemap are not simply making up the numbers.

The Beninese club are the country's champions and will be looking to make their mark against the nine-time NPFL winners on Sunday.

Rangers, meanwhile, have continental experience and will be expected to use that advantage to negotiate the first preliminary round.

Rangers general manager Amobi Ezeaku also urged supporters to rally behind the club as they prepare for their continental assignment.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. We hope more fans will come out. This is Rangers representing the country,” Ezeaku said.

“It's time for us to rally round each other and grind out the result to retain the slot for our country.”

The Rangers chief stressed that the club would not abandon its domestic responsibilities despite the importance attached to the Champions League.

“We want to take each game as it comes. All eyes are on the CAF Champions League but we're not losing focus with the league,” he added.

“When I say our eyes are on the Champions League, it should tell you about our ambition,” Mr. Ezeaku concluded.

The winner of the tie will advance to the second preliminary round, where a place in the group stage will come closer into view. CAF has confirmed that the first-round winners will progress to face the winners of the corresponding ASN Nigelec-MC Alger tie.