Rangers International are radiating great optimism to earn their first win in the CAF confederation Cup Group A game when they host FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania in a matchday-four game at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu on Sunday, Completesports.com reports.
The Flying Antelopes are without a win so far in the group games.
In the reverse fixture, the seven-time Nigeria Champions held out stoutly for a scoreless draw, to earn their first point in the campaign, having earlier lost to two Egyptian sides; 3-1 to Pyramids in Enugu and 4-2 to Al Masry in Cairo.
But the Salisu Yusuf’s men still believe that reaching the knockout stage is still open.
Also Read – Odegbami: The Next Coach of the Super Eagles!
For the ambitious Rangers, the doors of the Round of 16 are still open despite having only earned one point out of a possible nine, believing they can still finish in the top two of the group.
Chiamaka Madu, a midfielder who missed the 3-1 win against FC Ifeanyi Ubah – a NPFL midweek game, through injury, says the Antelopes will win and eventually earn a spot in the Round of 16.
“We appreciate the task before us in the continent and we have tasked ourselves to ensure we get all the three points in this crunchy game against Nouadhibou in Enugu,” Madu said.
“With the level of preparation we have put into the coming game, I believe we will make our fans happy at the end of the match.
“And of course, the knockout stages remains our objective and we have resolved to make it happen.”
Temitope Olusesi, captain of the foremost Nigeria club shared his teammate’s optimism.
“Our continental match (against Nouadhibou) will be tough but we shall come out with the needed victory to put us back on track for a quarter final place,” Olusesi enthused.
Also Read – Complete Sports’ Super Eagles Team Of The Decade: Enyeama, Mikel Top List
“No doubt, we did not start the group stage as we wished, but we have come through the bad patch and are now focused for better things to come both in the domestic league and on continental stage.”
Salisu Yusuf quipped: “Since my coming to the team, we are gradually but steadily getting to play some good football but very unlucky in front of goals.
“Nonetheless, we are working on this and I believe that we shall get it right against the Mauritanians as we have started getting our confidence back with the win on Wednesday in the NPFL”
CAF has fixed 5pm as the kickoff of Sunday’s Rangers – Nouadhibou clash and appointed Benin Republic FIFA badged arbiter, Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali as centre referee.
