CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Rangers not afraid of Zamalek -Chukwu

Recently appointed Chief executive Officer and Manager of Rangers International FC, Christian Chukwu, has declared that his side are ready to face five-time African champions Zamalek in the first round of the CAF Champions League without fears.

The reigning champions of Nigeria Professional Football League were drawn to the Egyptian giants after they advanced from the preliminary round via the away goals rule to eliminate Algeria’s JS Saoura.

The Enugu side will be away to Zamalek in March for the first leg, with the return leg to hold in Enugu a week later, after which the winners of the tie will qualify for the group stage of the continent’s highest club competition.

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“We are fully ready for Zamalek. We respect them but we are not afraid of them,” declared Chukwu, who was captain and later coach of the club.

“We have already started preparation ahead of that encounter.

“The match against JS Saoura of Algeria was an eye opener and it has put our players in continental mood.”

Zamalek finished as runners-up last season after they lost in the final to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

The five-time winners will host the flying antelopes on the weekend of March 10-12 before travelling for the second leg between 17 and 19 March.

However, this is Enugu Rangers’ tenth Champions League appearances and their last one came in 2013. They’ve never won the trophy before but have reached the final in 1975, when they lost the title to Guinea’s Hafia FC.

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