CAF Confederation Cup
ALGERIAN CHALLENGE DOES NOT SCARE US, SAYS RANGERS’ GBENGA OGUNBOTE
Although Nigeria flagbearers, Rangers found it relatively easy overpowering Ethiopia’s Defence Force in the CAF Confederation Cup, it is envisaged that the challenge from Algeria’s Union Sportive Medinat Bel Abbes (USMBA) will be stiffer when they clash this weekend.
Only last month, Rangers completed a double with a 2-0 home win and 3-1 away win against Defence FC of Ethiopia in the Preliminary Round which came on the back of that stunning win of the Nigeria national cup on penalties when they overcame a 3-0 deficit to tie scores at 3-3 at the expense of KanoPillars to qualify for this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
“ Our comeback in some recent matches is not a question of strategy rather we
always play to our strength,” Rangers’ trainer Gbenga Ogunbote told cafonline.com
“ We sometimes conceded cheap goals but we don’t give up easily especially when we realised that we are better than the opposing team.
“ I feel very great after winning both the home and away match against Defence FC of Lesotho in the last round. After the first leg, there were criticisms here that we didn’t play well.
“ But we went over there (Addis Ababa) for the second leg and got an away win.These victories home and away confirmed our superiority and I want to give thanks to God for that.”
Yet speaking against the background of recent poor performances of many Nigerian clubs on the continent, Ogunbote surmised Rangers must show sterner stuff against USMBA who easily dismissed Lisor FC of Liberia 4-1 on aggregate last month.
“Though many Nigerians teams have not done well against North African teams recently, I believe there’s always a turnaround in life,” noted Ogunbote who lost narrowly to Club Africain of Tunisia at the semi-final stage of the2011 CAF Confederation Cup during his spell in charge of Sunshine Stars of Akure.
“We need to work harder in order to get very far in this competition; we shall
do our best and make sure that they (USMBA) do not stop us at this stage.”
Incidentally, Rangers are yet to progress within the trophy range in four previous CAF Confederation Cup attempts and just last year, the Flying Antelopes were halted in their flight by ZESCO United of Zambia in the play-off round.
However, Ogunbote offered on Rangers’ preparedness this term: “We are aware of the efforts put into the team before we secured the qualification to play in this competition but this is yet to be our dream team. All the same, the resilience and never-say-die attitude of the players; and above all, the grace of God have taken us to this stage.
“My last record in this same competition was reaching the semi-finals with Sunshine of Akure. I will be happy if I can go a better further with Rangers and I’m not just thinking but that is my prayers.
“Football is a team sport and I can’t begin to single out a single player. My understanding of the game is that we are a team and team means ‘together everyone achieve much’.
“So, our collective contribution as a team is very important if we want to go
far in this competition.”
Meanwhile, Rangers will host USMBA this weekend in this Round of 1/16th first
leg at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu while the reverse fixture holds a
week later in Algiers and the aggregate winner over the two legs will progress
to the Group Stage.
CAF Confederation Cup
Owolabi Blames Overconfidence, Inexperience for Kwara United’s CAF Confederation Cup Exit
Former Nigeria international, Felix Owolabi, has attributed Kwara United’s elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup by Ghana’s Asante Kotoko to overconfidence and lack of technical depth on the bench.
Commenting after Kotoko’s 1-0 victory in Abeokuta on Sunday, which sealed a 5-3 aggregate win for the Ghanaian giants, the 1980 AFCON winner revealed that he had earlier warned officials of Kwara United about the quality and tactical strength of their opponents.
“Do you know that I was in Ghana for an assignment when I watched Asante Kotoko play in the finals of the FA Cup against Accra Hearts of Oak?” Owolabi said. “The game ended 2-1 in favour of Kotoko, and I heard the President of Ghana promise to support the team in their continental campaign.”
According to him, the Ghanaian leader’s commitment reflected a renewed determination to revive the fortunes of club football in Ghana.
“He said the days of poor showing by Ghanaian teams were over and was ready to back them financially,” Owolabi noted.
The former Shooting Stars star added that he had returned to Nigeria with insights that could have helped Kwara United prepare better.
“I told some of those close to the team that Kotoko’s full-backs and midfielders were their engine room, and they needed a tactical plan that would disorganise them for the entire 90 minutes,” he explained.
Owolabi said he also cautioned that the tie was far from over despite Kwara United’s earlier away goals advantage.
“I warned them not to take qualification for granted until the final whistle. Psychologically, the three away goals made them overconfident,” he said.
The former winger lamented that Kwara United lacked a “matured tactician” to handle such a delicate second leg.
“All they needed was an experienced hand on the bench — someone who understands the dynamics of continental football,” Owolabi added. “It’s unfortunate. Now, it’s like medicine after death.”
He concluded by urging Nigerian clubs to attach greater importance to technical preparedness and experience when representing the country in continental competitions.
“Football has become too dynamic. Even the areas you least expect surprises have become success zones,” he warned.
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Kwara United’s CAF Confederation Cup journey came to an abrupt end on Sunday following a 1–0 defeat to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
The slim victory handed the visitors a 5–3 aggregate triumph, sealing their progression to the next round of the continental competition and dashing the hopes of the Harmony Boys, who had entered the return leg needing only a 1–0 win to advance.
After losing a pulsating first leg 4–3 in Accra last weekend, Kwara United were banking on their three away goals to overturn the deficit.
However, Asante Kotoko displayed greater composure and tactical discipline in Abeokuta, frustrating the hosts for much of the contest.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half when the Ghanaians capitalised on a defensive lapse to grab the only goal of the game — a strike that effectively ended any comeback hopes for the Nigerian side.
Despite a spirited late push from the home team, Kotoko held firm, relying on their experience and solid defensive structure to preserve their advantage.
Kwara United’s head coach, Tunde Sanni, had promised an attacking approach, but his side found it difficult to break down a compact Kotoko backline that absorbed pressure and hit on the counter.
The result means the Ilorin-based club’s continental adventure has ended at the preliminary stage, while Asante Kotoko will now turn their focus to a blockbuster next round clash against Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca.
For Kwara United, the defeat marks a disappointing end to an otherwise promising campaign, but the team will take positives from their spirited away performance in Ghana and look to regroup for the upcoming domestic season.
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Nigeria’s Kwara United are brimming with confidence as they prepare to overturn a narrow first-leg deficit against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in this Sunday’s decisive CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Despite falling 4–3 in a thrilling encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium last weekend, the Harmony Boys returned home with three valuable away goals — a major lifeline that keeps qualification firmly within reach.
A 1–0 or 2–1 win on home soil will be enough to see them through to the next stage.
In a show of intent, the team arrived early in Abeokuta on Monday to fine-tune tactical plans and acclimatize to the playing conditions ahead of the must-win tie.
Training sessions have been intense and focused, with emphasis on tightening the defence and improving finishing in front of goal.
Head coach Tunde Sanni expressed optimism that his players have learned from the first-leg experience, admitting that some key names failed to hit their stride in Accra.
“In that first leg, some of our top players could not come to the party,” Sanni remarked. “This time around, I pray that everybody plays very well so that we won’t concede. We have to beat them convincingly.”
The coach hinted at slight adjustments to his starting lineup but emphasized that the squad’s overall readiness and team spirit remain strong.
“At least one or two changes must be there, but we are set. We can play anybody. Everybody is ready now and understands what is at stake.”
While aware of the defensive risks, Sanni insisted that Kwara United would not compromise their attacking philosophy, which has become a trademark of the Ilorin-based club.
“We are an attacking team. We don’t play defensive football. We always look to attack while maintaining balance,” he added.
Although the team will be without the passionate backing of their Ilorin faithful, Sanni believes the Abeokuta pitch provides the right surface for his players to express themselves.
“Definitely, we’re going to miss our fans, but Abeokuta has a very good pitch, so we can play anywhere,” he noted. “It won’t be easy, but with hard work, we can get the result we need.”
A victory on Sunday would not only avenge last week’s defeat but also secure Kwara United a high-profile final-round clash against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca — a fixture that would further underline the club’s growing stature in continental football.
For the Harmony Boys, the message is clear: attack with purpose, defend with discipline, and fight till the final whistle — as the journey to Africa’s group stage continues.
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