Flying Antelopes Hold Their Nerve As Rangers Knock Out AS Sobemap

Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Rangers International, have advanced to the second round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Benin Republic champions AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties in Lomé, Togo.

According to Ireporter Online, the Flying Antelopes secured their passage after the two-legged preliminary-round encounter ended level, forcing the contest to be decided by a penalty shootout.

Rangers went into the return leg following a 1-1 draw in the first meeting in Abeokuta last weekend. The Nigerian champions were again held to a 1-1 draw after regulation time in Lomé, leaving the aggregate score level.

The encounter subsequently went to penalties, where Rangers showed greater composure to emerge victorious. Despite missing their opening kick, Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side recovered strongly, while AS Sobemap failed to convert two of their attempts.

Rangers eventually secured a 5-4 victory in the shootout to book their place in the second round of Africa’s premier club competition.

The victory offers the Enugu-based club another opportunity to make a significant impact in the CAF Champions League after their previous campaign ended at the preliminary stage.

Rangers had qualified for that edition after winning the NPFL title in 2024 but failed to progress to the group stage.

In the second round, the Flying Antelopes will face either Algerian side MC Alger or Niger Republic’s ASN Nigelec. The two teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg, with the return fixture scheduled for September 12.

Rangers remain one of Nigeria’s most historically successful clubs on the continent, with their biggest African triumph coming in 1977 when they won the African Cup Winners’ Cup.

The latest victory has now kept alive the club’s hopes of enjoying another memorable run in continental football.