Enugu Rangers survived a tense CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie against AS Sobemap, advancing on penalties after the Benin Republic champions again held the Nigerian champions to a 1-1 draw in Lomé on Friday.
Rangers prevailed 5-4 in the shootout after the second leg finished 1-1, sending the Flying Antelopes through after a 2-2 aggregate score across the two matches.
The qualification keeps Rangers’ continental campaign alive, but the manner of their progression also leaves plenty for Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side to address before the competition becomes significantly more demanding.
The Nigerian champions had already surrendered a first leg advantage in Abeokuta, where Chidozie Iwundu’s 23rd minute goal was cancelled out by Emmanuel Ali shortly after half time.
The same pattern of Rangers taking the initiative without creating sufficient separation was repeated in Lomé.
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Rangers found the breakthrough in the 24th minute when Oputa Chibueze delivered a dangerous ball into the Sobemap area, with the pressure ultimately forcing an own goal from the home defence.
It was another promising start for the Flying Antelopes, who had gone ahead in the opening leg and would have been hoping to use the advantage to take control of the tie.
But, as happened in Abeokuta, Rangers could not turn their early advantage into the cushion they needed.
Sobemap remained in the contest and eventually found their response in the second half, equalising in the 65th minute to once again level the game.
That goal changed the equation for Rangers, leaving the Nigerian champions with another nervy finish as the possibility of an early Champions League exit began to loom.
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With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the tie went to penalties.
Rangers held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the shootout 5-4 and finally putting an end to a contest that had proved far more difficult than the Nigerian champions would have wanted.
The victory is an important piece of continental experience for Ilechukwu’s and his players. They had to manage pressure away from Nigeria, recover from another equalizer and then execute from the penalty spot with their Champions League campaign on the line.
But while the shootout demonstrated Rangers’ composure in a decisive moment, qualification should not disguise the problems that surfaced across the two legs.
Qualification achieved, but questions remain
Over 180 minutes, Rangers repeatedly showed an ability to create promising situations without consistently applying the finishing touch.
That was particularly evident in the first leg, when their first half dominance produced only one goal and left Sobemap with enough life to recover.
The second meeting offered another opportunity for Rangers to take control, yet once again they were unable to establish a decisive advantage.
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From a pesperctive of a team carrying Nigeria’s hopes into the Champions League, that lack of sharpness is an issue that will need immediate attention.
Rangers have now survived the preliminary round, but the standard required in the next stage will be considerably higher.
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