Rangers International, the reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), are gearing up for their continental debut this season. On Sunday, the Flying Antelopes will host SOBEMAP of Benin Republic in the first leg of the preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. This crucial match will take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta. The arena is serving as the team's temporary home ground this season. This is while their usual base, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, undergoes renovations.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has been rallying the troops and appealing to the club’s dedicated fanbase. "Rangers fans, we know, we trust and we believe that you are with us, don’t give up on us we would make you proud tomorrow (Sunday)," he stated. This underscores the players' determination to make their supporters proud in this significant continental fixture.
The team is stepping onto the continental stage after a somewhat mixed start to their NPFL title defence. Last weekend, they were held to a 1-1 draw against Katsina United. Now, their focus has sharply shifted to the demanding task of the Champions League. Interestingly, SOBEMAP has had the chance to scout Rangers. They watched their opening league game, meaning they will come prepared.
Securing a convincing win at their adopted home in Abeokuta is paramount for Rangers. General Manager Amobi Ezeaku has emphasized the importance of a strong home performance to gain an advantage before the return leg. "There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. On Sunday, we expect that more fans will come out from Abeokuta, Lagos, Ikenne, and a lot of people have also come in from neighbouring states. We have to grind out the result, win convincingly and advance," Ezeaku remarked. He called for significant fan support from surrounding areas.
Rangers are returning to Africa’s premier club competition with the ambition of emulating the club's storied past. Their most significant continental achievement remains the 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup title. However, their most recent foray into the Champions League, following their 2024 NPFL title win, saw them eliminated at the preliminary stage. They failed to advance to the group phase. This history will undoubtedly fuel their desire to go further this time.
The journey ahead is challenging. Should Rangers overcome SOBEMAP in this first hurdle, they will face a tougher opponent in the second preliminary round. Their potential adversaries will be the winner of the tie between ASN Nigelec from Niger Republic and the Algerian giants, MC Alger. For now, however, Ilechukwu and his squad must concentrate on delivering a performance that rewards the faith of their supporters and secures a positive start against the Beninese side.