Enugu Rangers captain Chidiebere Nwobodo says the team has prepared well for Sunday’s CAF Champions League second preliminary-round first leg against MC Alger, expressing confidence in the squad’s readiness while stressing the need for total concentration against the Algerian champions.
Speaking to TheAthleticNG after Rangers’ final training session on Saturday, 17 October, Nwobodo described the atmosphere within the camp as encouraging and insisted that his teammates were ready for the challenge at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
“Yeah, I can say amazing, amazing. The team spirit, I can see the boys, they’re so good for the game tomorrow,” he said.
“I prepare so well against tomorrow’s task.”
The nine-time Nigerian champions face a difficult assignment against an MC Alger side that also arrives as champions of its domestic league. With the return leg scheduled to take place in Algeria, Rangers will be looking to make their home advantage count and establish a positive position in the tie.
Nwobodo acknowledged the quality of their opponents, noting that the North African side would be determined to put up a fight.
“MC Algiers are a very difficult opponent. You don’t have to take away that fact. They are North Africans. And of course, I’m sure definitely they want to put up a fight tomorrow,” he said.
Despite that recognition, the Rangers captain believes his team has the quality to compete and secure a strong result.
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Beyond confidence in the team’s preparations, Nwobodo highlighted defensive concentration as a key requirement for Rangers if they are to avoid making the first leg more difficult than necessary.
Asked what his teammates must do differently against MC Alger after drawing both legs against AS Sobemap in the previous preliminary round, the captain was direct about the importance of keeping their opponents from scoring.
“Yeah, I think first thing, we shouldn’t concede here,” he said.
“Yeah. And we need total concentration to face the game tomorrow.”
Rangers advanced past Sobemap after two 1-1 draws, eventually winning 5-4 on penalties in Lomé. Although they cleared the first hurdle, the tie demonstrated the difficulty of converting promising positions into victories within regulation time.
Against MC Alger, Nwobodo and his teammates will hope to produce a more decisive performance, combining defensive discipline with the attacking quality needed to build an advantage before travelling to Algeria.
While urging concentration at the back, Nwobodo was equally confident about Rangers’ ability to trouble their visitors in attack.
“MC Algiers, they are good side. And we too, we are good side,” he said.
“We can still win them with maximum goals for sure.”
His remarks reflect Rangers’ ambition to make the first leg count rather than leave the outcome finely balanced ahead of the return fixture.
The team has shown attacking potential in domestic competition, but the challenge now is to translate that quality into a convincing continental result.
Rangers will need their attacking players to take their opportunities while maintaining the defensive organisation their captain has identified as essential.
Nwobodo’s confidence also rests on the atmosphere within the squad as preparations reached their final stage.
His positive assessment of the team spirit offers an encouraging message to Rangers supporters ahead of a fixture that could shape the club’s continental campaign.
The captain’s task will now be to help translate that confidence into performance on the pitch, particularly during moments when MC Alger attempt to impose themselves on the game.
The first leg takes place on Sunday, 18 October, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, where Rangers will seek an advantage before the return meeting in Algeria.
