Coach Gbenga Ogunbote of Rangers International head coach insists the
club must put up a brave performance to beat Algerian side, Union
Sportive Medinat Bel Abbes (USMBA) in their CAF Confederation Cup
First Round fixture on Sunday to stay afloat in the competition.
The Flying Antelopes will host the Algerians in the first leg clash on
Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu with the reverse fixture
to come up a week later in Algiers.
Nigerian clubs have in the past struggled against North African
opposition on the continent and Ogunbote says his team must show
sterner stuff against USMBA if they want to progress further in the
competition.
“Though many Nigerians teams have not done well against North African
teams recently, I believe there’s always a turnaround in life,”
Ogunbote who lost narrowly to Club Africain of Tunisia at the
semi-final stage of the 2011 CAF Confederation Cup during his spell in
charge of Sunshine Stars of Akure told CAFonline.com.
“We need to work harder in order to get very far in this competition;
we shall do our best and make sure that they (USMBA) do not stop us at
this stage.”
The Coal City club have struggled to make an impact in their four
previous appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup and lost out to
Zambian club, Zesco United in the play-off round last year.
Ogunbote is however adamant they have what it takes to brace the odds
this time around.
“We are aware of the efforts put into the team before we secured the
qualification to play in this competition but this is yet to be our
dream team. All the same, the resilience and never-say-die attitude of
the players; and above all, the grace of God have taken us to this
stage,”he added.
“My last record in this same competition was reaching the semi-finals
with Sunshine of Akure. I will be happy if I can go a better further
with Rangers and I’m not just thinking but that is my prayers.
“Football is a team sport and I can’t begin to single out a single
player. My understanding of the game is that we are a team and team
means ‘together everyone achieve much’.
“So, our collective contribution as a team is very important if we
want to go far in this competition.”
The aggregate winner over the two legs will progress to the group
stage of the competition.
