Enugu Rangers midfielder Kelvin Itoya is confident the flying Antelopes will beat Nigeria Professional League champions Lobi stars in the season opening Super Cup in Asaba on Wednesday.
Speaking exclusively to footballlive.ng Itoya who inspired Rangers international’s comeback in the final of the 2018 Aiteo Cup final at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba against Kano Pillars said the team is ready for the star studded team from Makurdi. “It’s going to be a good game, Lobi stars are a good side as well, we are also prepared for the match, I know the game will be a very entertaining one.”
The Enugu Rangers star also insists that the Super Cup tie against Lobi will serve as a preparatory game for the team as they proceed to file out against Defence Force of Ethiopia in the CAF Confederations Cup preliminary stage on November 27th in Enugu. “This Super Cup is like a preparatory game for our CAF Confederations Cup match against Defence Force from Ethiopia, and when the time for the CAF game comes I think we are not going to let Nigerians down, and we need the fans to support and pray for us.”
Enugu Ranger failed to go past the first round in their last CAF Champions league campaign in 2017 after being dumped out by Zamalek of Egypt and also failing to progress in the CAF Confederations Cup playoffs after losing 3 – 0 to Zesco of Zambia but Itoya believes that this is a new dispensation. “Most of the players that played back then are no longer here and I believe it is going to be a different ball game this time around.”
Enugu Ranger will face Lobi immediately after the game between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.