CAF Champions League: SOBEMAP coach unhappy with venue of Rangers clash

SOBEMAP FC head coach Mathias Déguénon has admitted that playing their CAF Champions League return leg against Rangers on neutral ground will be a disadvantage to his side.

The Benin Republic champions will host the reigning Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, champions at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, on Friday.

SOBEMAP are playing the home leg in Togo rather than Benin Republic.

Déguénon admitted that playing away from their traditional home ground could make the encounter more difficult but called on the club’s supporters to travel to Lomé in large numbers.

The coach said his side must take the initiative in the return fixture despite not playing on their own ground.

SOBEMAP held Rangers to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, on Sunday.

Chidozie Iwundu gave Rangers the lead in the first half before Emmanuel Ali restored parity for the visitors shortly after the restart.

The result leaves the first preliminary-round tie evenly poised ahead of Friday’s return leg.