The biggest debate in Nigerian football circles is whether Rangers International can emulate Barcelona of Spain on March 19 and shock Zamalek of Egypt on Sunday in Cairo.
Zamalek thrashed Rangers, Nigerian league champions, 4-1 in the round of 32 of the African Champions League and few are hopeful that Rangers can bounce back.
Interestingly, it was a Nigerian, Stanley Ohawuchi, who struck the first blow in the 8th minute when he headed in a measured cross from Osama Ibrahim.
Hossam Paolo and Anyam Hefni added to the scoreline before a consolatory but vital away goal by Bobby Clement gave Rangers a glimmer of hope.
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Rangers must thus comprehensively defeat Zamalek to move into the next round or they face demotion to CAF Confederation Cup.
The Enugu-based team was listless and uninspiring and analysts believe that the change of management, lack of proper preparation for the new season after winning the Nigerian league for the first time in decades might have distracted the team.
But Edoh Ocheme, Rangers forward, has said his team will “do the needful” and go into the reverse fixture clash with the sole aim of upturning the advantage.
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“All hopes are not lost as we are quite capable of scoring the three mandatory goals in the first 45 minutes just as Zamalek SC performed at their backyard in Cairo.
“At least we have role models in Barcelona to copy and look up to as we get ready for the reverse clash. Barcelona have shown that in football nothing is conclusively done until it’s completely over.
“That’s the mentality we will bring into the second leg coupled with some self-belief I’m sure we will upturn the disadvantage to advance to the next stage of the competition.”
History is however on Zamalek’s side, owing to its track record of trumping Nigerian clubs.
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Shooting Stars, Stationery Stores, Kwara United, Enyimba are Nigerian teams that have been trounced by the Egyptian team in the past.
March 19 will definitely be an interesting day at Enugu.
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