The Technical Adviser of Nigeria's reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International, says he expects stiff opposition in the second leg of the 2nd preliminary round of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League match against Sagrada Esperança in Angola.
The experienced tactician believes that the CAF Champions League should be treated as a cup final.
Nigeria’s reigning league champions commenced their journey for the second leg of the 2nd preliminary round of the CAF Champions League encounter against Sagrada Esperança of Angola as a delegation led by the G.M/CEO of the club, Amobi Ezeaku, departed Enugu for the Angolan capital, Luanda.
After spending the night in Lagos, the team boarded a flight today to the venue of the encounter, which is expected to be an interesting one.
The Ilechukwu-tutored side seeks to secure a spot in the group stage.
Ilechukwu said, "We are going to Luanda to play this encounter as a cup final. Our opponents are very technical and have fast players, but we have prepared well to contain them and push our way into the group stage of the competition."
"It will be a difficult match, but I am optimistic about a positive result."
The captain of the side, Chinemerem Ugwueze, before the team left Enugu, said, “We are very focused and have put in a lot of effort preparing for the second leg encounter against Sagrada Esperança."
"I believe that with the intensive training we have done since the end of the first leg, we are ready to defend the club's badge."
"Sure, it’s going to be a high-pressure game, but we have our work cut out for us and we are optimistic."
Rangers take a 1-0 lead into this weekend’s fixture, which is slated for the 48,500-capacity Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola, with kickoff scheduled for 15:30 hours (Angolan Time) on Sunday, Sept. 22.
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