FLYING ANTELOPES HELD TO A DRAW IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OPENER

Rangers International FC were held to a 1–1 draw by AS Sobemap in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, leaving the Flying Antelopes with work to do in the return leg.

Rangers International FC were held to a 1–1 draw by AS Sobemap in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, leaving the Flying Antelopes with work to do in the return leg. The opening ten minutes saw both sides engage in end-to-end exchanges, with the visitors looking the more threatening going forward. AS Sobemap came close to taking an early lead in the fourth minute when right winger Gratien Houndo pounced on a low cross inside the box, but his effort went wide. Rangers gradually grew into the game and began creating a number of promising opportunities, although the Flying Antelopes were unable to make their dominance count in front of goal. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 32nd minute. Daniel Itodo launched a long throw into the box, which the AS Sobemap defence failed to clear. Chidozie Iwundu reacted quickest to the loose ball and calmly slotted it into the net to give Rangers a deserved lead. The Flying Antelopes held on to their advantage until the break, with the first half ending Rangers 1–0 AS Sobemap. SECOND HALF: VISITORS HIT BACK Both teams returned for the second half with clear intentions. Rangers looked to extend their lead and put the tie in a stronger position, while AS Sobemap sought an equaliser that would give them a valuable advantage ahead of the return leg. The visitors found their equaliser shortly after the restart. Houndo beat Chibueze Oputa before sending a dangerous cross into the area, with Emmanuel Ali rising to head the ball into the net. The equaliser did little to diminish Rangers' attacking intent, as the Flying Antelopes continued to look dangerous going forward but struggled to convert several good opportunities. Azeez Falolu came close to restoring Rangers' lead in the 77th minute after Oputa delivered a corner into the box, but his effort went inches wide. Rangers continued to dictate the tempo and control proceedings, but the finishing touch was missing in the final third. The Flying Antelopes came agonisingly close to finding a late winner in the final minute of added time. Another long throw from Itodo was met by Godwin Obaje, whose header beat the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar. The final whistle confirmed a 1–1 draw at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex. WHAT IS AT STAKE? The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg in Lomé. Rangers will need a positive result on the road to progress to the next round of the CAF Champions League, while AS Sobemap will take confidence from securing an away draw in the opening leg. The Flying Antelopes will now turn their attention to the return fixture, where they will look to finish the job and keep their continental campaign alive. TEAM LIST RANGERS 30. Abuchi Okeke 2. Chibueze Oputa 17.Daniel Itodo 23. Chidozie Iwundu 25. Monday Daniel 4. Ikechukwu Mgbemena 8. Wisdom Ebirim 10. Folarin Temitope 20. Emo James 21. Chimezie Victor 11. Godwin Obaje SUBSTITUTES 7. Chimaobi Igwilo 15. Azeez Falolu 21. Ifeanyi Okechukwu 18. Precious Agu 29. Wale Akintola UNUSED SUBSTITUTES 32. Lateef Ishola 16. Waheed Adebayo 9. Justice Akugre 15. Austin Opara AS SOBEMAP Soumanou .Assoumanou .Sosu. .Koho .Seibou .Karim .Loko .Alavo .Bashir . Gratien Houndo .Adeola SUBSTITUTES .Akindele .Goli .Boro .Olatilu .Yacoubou .Kpadonou .Houngbedji .Lessemon