Football
Exclusive: Fidelis Ilechukwu Yet to Recover From Shock of Rangers’ CAF CL Exit
Rangers International coach Fidelis Ilechukwu reflects on the shock of their CAF Champions League exit, discusses the new NPFL season, and his role with the Super Eagles
Image Credits: Punch News Paper
Rangers International head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that he is yet to recover from the shock of their elimination in the CAF Champions League.
Nigerian champions Rangers were knocked out of the elite African club football competition on September 22 after bowing to a 3-1 loss against Angolan club Sagrada Esperanca in the second round.
The Flying Antelopes secured a 1-0 lead in the first leg but exited the tournament with a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
Rangers’ CAF CL exit
Rangers had carried Nigeria’s hopes of playing in the CAF Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2018-19 season when Lobi Stars flew the country’s flag.
Ilechukwu told SportsBoom.com.
“I'm yet to recover from the shock of our elimination from the CAF Champions League.”
It is painful and it is a big failure for me as the team’s technical adviser. I haven't been sleeping well since we lost the match because I’m still thinking about it, I wish we have a second chance so we can correct our mistakes and qualify for the group stage but we can't get it.
Fidelis Ilechukwu
Ilechukwu on his role as Super Eagles assistant coach
The experienced NPFL coach was recently appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation as an assistant coach to Augustine Eguavoen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ilechukwu reflects on his new job with the three-time African champions and they target the technical crew is focused on.
He said: “I’m happy with the opportunity given to us in the Super Eagles, it is an amazing experience I didn't expect.”
“I’m happy with the working relationship with the boss, Augustine Eguavoen because not everyone will give you the opportunity to contribute. I’m hoping we have the luck to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Rangers target for new season
The Nigeria Premier Football League defending champions have made a decent start to the 2024-25 season and are currently ranked seventh in the league table with two wins and a draw after four matches.
Ilechukwu expressed optimism about the task ahead and he encouraged fans to get behind his team as they hunt for their ninth league title this campaign.
“Rangers is a big team and one of the most successful teams as far as Nigerian football is concerned,” he continued. “People are expecting a lot from us this season but the competitiveness of Nigerian football is a challenge we are ready for and I am sure we will come up gradually in the table.”
“We want our fans to believe in us as we continue the marathon, we don't want them to give up on us because of the CAF Champions League disappointment, we will do our best to move Rangers to where they belong.”
We are in the Super Eagles to support the big boss and we are working to make sure the team do well.
Fidelis Ilechukwu
More opportunities for local coaches in national teams
This week, Eguavoen delegated Ilechukwu and Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede to lead Nigeria’s Super Eagles B (home-based players) for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
The former MFM FC and Plateau coach, in his appreciation to the NFF, echoed the call for more inclusion of coaches in Nigeria leagues in the various national teams to aid their development as they closer to the action and the players in the country.
“It is a great and always good to have NPFL coaches involved in national teams because we know more about our league and the players, we can analyse their strengths and every other factor/event in Nigeria,” he added.
“I thank the NFF for the opportunity and for the belief they have in Nigerian coaches. For instance, the women’s U17 and U20 teams are handled by Nigerians and they qualified for their respective World Cups this year.”
“We know how important the Super Eagles job is and we will deliver.”
Before Ilechukwu joins Eguavoen to get Nigeria ready for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers double-header against Libya, he will lead Enugu Rangers to face Abia Warriors in the NPFL fixture on October 6.
I’m Taiye Taiwo, an experienced sports journalists in Nigeria with focus on Nigeria sports, African sports & athletes and creating SEO contents for betting sites and blogs. I boast of mentions in several international English online platforms and my works have also been translated into French and Turkish.