Sobemap vs Rangers International CAF Champions League Preview
Sobemap of Benin Republic and Nigeria's Rangers International square off in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first round qualifier.
Having battled to a 1-1 draw in the first meeting, both teams will be fired up for this one and could be set to serve up an open contest.
Key Stats
- Sobemap have scored in four of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Sobemap have conceded in three of their last four matches in all competitions.
- Rangers International have scored in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Rangers International have conceded in their last five matches in all competitions.
- Both teams were on target in last week's first leg.
One Previous Meeting
The only previous meeting between Sobemap and Rangers International was last week's first leg, with both teams battling to a 1-1 draw.
Sobemap Looking to Build
Sobemap kept themselves in the tie after holding out for a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Nigeria. They fought back from a goal down and struck the equaliser just after the break to earn a share of the spoils.
Manager Mathias Deguenon will take plenty of positives from that result as it was Sobemap 's first competitive match since June. However, the result means they have now failed to win their last two matches, having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bani Ganse in their previous fixture.
Sobemap have shown some attacking quality lately, scoring in four of their last five matches in all competitions. However, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in three of the last four fixtures in this run.
Rangers International’s First Leg Blues
Rangers International will be disappointed not to have claimed the advantage in the first leg. They failed to add to Chidozie Iwundu’s early opener and were pegged back just before the break.
That was the second straight stalemate for Rangers International, having begun their NPFL campaign with a 1-1 draw with Katsina United. Their overall form has also been patchy in recent weeks, with two wins and as many draws in their last five matches in all competitions.
Like the hosts, Rangers International often show quality going forward and have scored in their last five matches in all competitions. However, the Nigerian champions are often shaky at the back and have failed to keep a clean sheet in all five fixtures.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Sobemap (4-3-3): Fasila Soumanou; Muyiwa Fehintola, Mohamadou Assoumanou, Richard Boro, Zoulkaneri Seibou; Kassim Yacoubou, Aldo Loko, Kevin Alavo; Gratien Houndo, Faisal Bashir, Oliver Lessemoin.
Lessemoin was a second-half substitute in the first leg and could earn a start in attack alongside Houndo. Loko should retain his place in midfield while Assoumanou is set to feature in the heart of defence once again.
Rangers International (4-3-3): Abuchi Okeke; Oputa Chibueze, Chidozie Iwundu, Monday Daniel, Daniel Itodo; Ikechukwu Mgbemene, Folarin Temitope, Wisdom Ebirim; Chimezie Victor, James Emo, Godwin Obaje.
Iwundu should continue at the back for Rangers after scoring his team's only goal in the first leg. Temitope is expected to feature in midfield while Obaje should lead the line, with Emo and Victor providing support.