Ogunbote: Defensive Mistakes Cost Rangers Against Etoile

Enugu Rangers head coach Gbenga Ogunbote insists his players didn’t do enough to earn a win in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel, reports Completesports.com

The Flying Antelopes suffered their first defeat in the group stage going down to a 2-1 loss to the home side in Sousse.

Rangers took the lead in the 14 minute when Michael Uchebo found Bright Silas who went on a run past his markers before firing past Etoile goalie Makram Bdiri.

Etoile were not going to take things lightly. Their response came in the 35th minute when Malek Baayou’s free-kick found Iheb Msakni, whose header beat Nana Bonsu in post for Rangers.

The homers resumed stronger and four minutes past the hour mark Darwin Gonzalez had the chance to put them up for the first time, but his effort kissed the crossbar. Ben Aziza who was lurking around tapped home the rebound to give Etoile the lead.

“The match has been played. We scored first but lost eventually. I think all we can do is take the positive things from this game and wait for the return leg,”told reporters after the game.

“When we scored, we retreated and paid dearly for our careless reaction. The mistakes we made in defense cost us the game.”

The Enugu club now occupy second position in the group with four points from three games.

They will host Etoile du Sahel in the reverse fixture on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

By Adeboye Amosu