Rangers International have appealed to football supporters, administrators, sponsors and other stakeholders across Nigeria to rally behind the club ahead of their crucial CAF Champions League encounter against MC Alger of Algeria in Abeokuta on Sunday.
The Enugu club will host the Algerian side at the MKO Abiola Stadium at 2pm on October 18, with a strong first leg performance considered vital to their hopes of progressing in the competition before travelling to Algeria for the return fixture.
In an invitation dated October 14 and signed by General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Amobi Ezeaku, Rangers described the encounter as more than an ordinary football match, urging the wider Nigerian football community to demonstrate its support for the country’s representatives on the continental stage.
“This is more than a football match. It is a defining moment for Rangers International FC, a historic Nigerian football institution carrying the hopes, pride, and aspirations of Enugu State and Nigerian football on the continental stage,” Ezeaku wrote.
The club stressed the importance of securing a favourable result at home to give the team a stronger platform for the second leg, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead against the Algerian opposition.
“As we prepare for the return leg in Algeria next week, securing a comfortable victory at home is of immense importance,” the invitation stated.
“A strong performance and positive result in Abeokuta will place us in a more favourable position to approach the decisive second leg with confidence and determination.”
Rangers also called on partner organisations, corporate sponsors, football administrators and other stakeholders to attend the match, arguing that their presence would provide encouragement for the players while demonstrating unity behind Nigerian football.
“Your presence will make a difference,” the club declared, emphasizing the importance of solidarity as the Flying Antelopes pursue their continental ambitions.
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The appeal comes after Rangers negotiated a difficult first-round tie against AS Sobemap of Benin Republic to advance to the second preliminary round.
The two-legged contest finished 2-2 on aggregate, with Rangers progressing after a penalty shootout in Lomé. The result kept alive their ambition of advancing further in Africa’s premier club competition.
However, MC Alger present another demanding test, making the opportunity to establish an advantage in Abeokuta particularly important before the return encounter in Algeria.
Rangers’ request for support also carries added significance because the club will be playing away from their traditional home in Enugu.
The MKO Abiola Stadium has served as their adopted venue for CAF Champions league domestic fixtures, while the club continues its continental campaign away from home.
Ezeaku urged stakeholders to see the fixture as a collective responsibility, insisting that Rangers should not stand alone while representing Enugu State and Nigeria in continental competition.
“We therefore earnestly appeal to you to honour this invitation and join us in Abeokuta as we rally behind our beloved Rangers,” he added.
“Together, let us create an atmosphere worthy of the occasion and give our team the encouragement it needs to secure the desired result before travelling to Algeria.”
With the first leg approaching, Rangers will be hoping that the appeal translates into strong support in the stands as they seek a positive result against MC Alger and a stronger position ahead of the decisive return fixture.
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