Rangers Roar Into CAF Champions League Second Round After Dramatic Penalty Shootout

Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rangers International have secured a place in the second round of the CAF Champions League after defeating Benin Republic champions AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties in Lomé, Togo, on Friday, September 11.

The Flying Antelopes entered the second leg following a 1-1 draw in the first encounter in Abeokuta the previous weekend. They were held to another 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in Lomé, leaving the preliminary-round tie level on aggregate and forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.

Rangers suffered an early setback after missing their opening spot kick, but the Nigerian champions maintained their composure as the shootout progressed. AS Sobemap failed to convert two of their penalties, allowing Rangers to take advantage and eventually secure a 5-4 victory from the spot.

The result means Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side have progressed to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition and earned another opportunity to make a strong impression on the continental stage.

Rangers will be looking to improve on their previous CAF Champions League campaign, which ended during the preliminary round. The Enugu-based club had qualified for that edition after winning the NPFL title in 2024 but were unable to advance to the group stage.

The Nigerian champions will face either Algerian powerhouse MC Alger or ASN Nigelec of Niger Republic in the second round. MC Alger were held to a goalless draw by Nigelec in the first leg last week, with the return fixture scheduled for Saturday, September 12.

Rangers have a long-standing history in African club football, with one of their biggest continental achievements coming in 1977 when they won the African Cup Winners’ Cup.