Nigerian champions Rangers International FC were unable to secure a win at home as they played out a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic side AS Sobemap in their CAF Champions League first-leg encounter.
The match was played in Abeokuta, which served as Rangers’ temporary home venue. Both teams came into the fixture eager to take an early advantage in the preliminary round, and the contest lived up to that expectation with an open and competitive display.
Rangers pushed forward in search of goals and managed to break the deadlock, giving the home crowd something to cheer. However, their lead was short-lived as the visitors responded with a well-taken equalizer that silenced the stadium.
Despite several late attempts, the Flying Antelopes could not find a winner and had to settle for a share of the spoils. The result leaves the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg in Benin.
The Enugu-based side will now turn their focus to the away fixture, where a win or a scoring draw will be enough to progress. Rangers will be aiming to sharpen their finishing and tighten up defensively if they are to advance to the next round of Africa’s premier club competition.
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Rangers Held to 1-1 Draw by AS Sobemap in CAF Champions League Opener
