By Jelili Gbadamosi
SOBEMAP FC will be aiming to secure progress in the CAF Champions League when they face Nigerian champions Rangers in the second leg of their preliminary-round tie in Lomé, Togo, on Friday.
The Benin Republic champions go into the encounter on level terms after holding Rangers to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Sunday.
Rangers took the lead through Chidozie Iwundu in the first half, but SOBEMAP responded shortly after the restart when Emmanuel Ali found the equaliser.
Despite securing a draw away from home, SOBEMAP head coach Mathias Déguénon believes the decision to stage the return fixture in Togo rather than Benin Republic could work against his team.
SOBEMAP will host the decisive encounter at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, meaning the Benin champions will once again be without the advantage of playing before their traditional home crowd.
Déguénon acknowledged the challenge posed by the neutral venue but urged supporters of the club to turn out in large numbers in Lomé and provide the team with the backing it needs.
The coach also stressed that his players must be proactive and take the initiative in the return leg if they are to overcome Rangers and advance to the next stage of the competition.
With the first leg ending in a draw, both teams remain in contention, setting up a closely contested return fixture in Togo.
