Head coach of Rangers International FC, Gbenga Ogunbote has rued his side’s hard luck as they exited the Total CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, reports Completesports.com
Seven-time Nigerian league champions and reigning Aiteo Cup champions, Rangers lost 1-0 at home to Tunisian giants, Club Sportif Sfaxien despite a dominant display in a matchday 6 Group B fixture inside the main bowl on Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
Ajani Ibrahim, Aguda Godwin, Bright Silas, and Ifeanyi George were denied by the brilliance of Sabri Ben Hassen in goal for CS Sfaxien in the first half but against the run of play, the Tunisian giants took the lead as Nassim Hnid nodded home an inviting free kick from a tight angle on 73 minutes.
Efforts to wrestle the chestnut out of a burning fire by the Enugu side proved abortive as a combination of delay tactics from the North Africans and some more misses capped the day for the former Africa Cup Winners Cup champions.
“I must say that today was not just our day. We had four balls hit the post and just their only effort at goal went in,” Ogunbote said in his pre-match conference.
“It was a bad day in the office but my boys did their very best under a very harsh condition. We leave with our heads held high as we go back to the league to navigate our way back to the continent. I congratulate C.S Sfaxien for their win and qualification.”
Meanwhile C.S Sfaxien head coach, Ruud Krool praised his side for their effort.
“It was a well-managed game by my players and we got the victory to crown our efforts,” Krool said.
“Rangers gave us a good game but we stood our ground in a very challenging condition. We continue with our search for another continental glory at the end of the season.”
With the result, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia qualified along with their neighbours Etoile du Sahel also of Tunisia, with 12 and 10 points respectively.
Enugu Rangers and Salitas FC of Burkina-Faso crashed out on five and four points respectively as Salitas lost their last match in the group by the same margin to Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia.
By Johnny Edward
3 Comments
Yourself and that lobi stars coach should better shut up because if you know you will fail as a result of poor sports structure in the country then don’t come on media and make empty boastful promises, rather you should raise alarm now you are here blaming luck for home loss and elimination, not your faults you are all enjoying the corrupt system. We will continue hearing same excuses if we don’t change our ways
Very true. Nigeria’s problem is in almost every Nigerian,” love for money n I m better than my neighbour,so I have to show off”. Stupid n archaic small man mentality. Reason people are doing anything for money not minding the damaging consequences. If only people understand how damaging our woeful club sides performances is having on our football in terms of sponsorship. English teams both club sides n national teams are doing well today because here, they have come to understand how big football business could be, so no messing around.
This Mr Ogunbote family live in our hood if i catch him with those excuse me comment i will give him a resounding beating awon ole…