Enugu Rangers have vowed to face a hostile reception in Algeria as they take on MC Alger in a CAF Champions League qualifier that will decide who advances to the group stage.
The Flying Antelopes head to the second leg of their tie with a 2 to 0 aggregate lead from the first leg in Abeokuta. However, their hopes of qualifying are in jeopardy as the match is set to be played at the 40,000-seater Ali La Pointe stadium, where tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale.
The News Chronicle reports that the Confederation of African Football refused Rangers’ request to make the match a closed-door affair, leaving them to face a boisterous local support.
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Rangers General Manager Amobi Ezeaku said the team arrived early to adjust to the local conditions and remained focused on what happens on the pitch.
He stressed that the outcome would be determined by the players rather than events outside the field. CAF has appointed Ugandan security expert Dixon Okello as security officer for the match.
The tie also has echoes of 1976, when MC Alger rallied from a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Rangers 3-0 in Algiers on their way to winning the African Cup of Champions Clubs.
Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu knows he must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors and has urged his players to stay tight at the back and capitalise on any errors by their opponents.
