BY SAB OSUJI

The Biblical saying that 'God will deliver one's enemy to one's feet' has played out in the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League preliminary round match between Union Sportive Zilimadjou, Comoros and Nigeria's Rangers International, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

According to draws for the competition as released by CAF, Rangers were billed to travel to Moroni, capital of Comoros, for the first leg match scheduled Saturday, 17 August, 2024, with the reverse fixture billed for the Nest of Champions, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on August 23.

But a twist of fate has ensured that both legs of the match will now be decided at the Uyo Stadium.

This follows the rejection of the 14, 000-capacity Bauner Stadium, Moroni, capital of Comoros, to stage its top flight competition games, just as the continent's supreme football powers had earlier refused to grant Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, the green light to host such games.

Faced with lack of domestic option, US Zilimadjou, adopted Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, for their home games, including this weekend's first leg tie against Rangers, thus painting a picture of 'God delivering Rangers foes to the Flying Antelopes feet'.

What this means is that US Zilimadjou will 'host' Rangers in Uyo this weekend while Rangers also 'host' them at same stadium next week.

After the first leg, players and officials of US Zilimadjou will stay back for the reverse fixture next weekend before flying back to their Island nation of Comoros.

Exclusivenews.com.ng reports that players and technical officials of the Coal City Flying Antelopes, Rangers, on Wednesday, 14 August, departed their Nkponkiti Enugu, base for Uyo, to continue preparation for the double header match.

There are reports that Akwa Ibom State Football Association has assured Rangers that they won't come short of massive support before, during and after the matches in Uyo.

Towards this end, the Akwa Ibom FA has embarked crowd mobilisation for support for the 8th time Nigeria Champions ahead the games.

Aside promises of hitch-free matches for Rangers fans and supporters, Samuel Umoh Akwa Ibom State FA Chairman, on Wednesday in Uyo, welcomed delegations of the two clubs into the state ahead of the Confederation of African Football Champions League clash this Sunday and next week Friday.

Umoh, said that inline with his administration's  vision of bringing back fans into the stadium, the state football Association  is partnering with security agencies to ensure that the venue of the matches remains safe for all members of the public that desire to watch good football, as Akwa Ibom State is known to be a football destination and peace.

" Akwa Ibom State Football Association is very happy to host the matches between Nigerian champions, Enugu Rangers and Zilimadjou FC this Sunday and next Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which is now the national capital of football and we are ready as usual to give our visitors the best reception and support inline with the spirit of sportsmanship".

" We will continue to encourage all Nigerian and visitors alike  to take advantage of the facility that has attracted both continental and global football into the state to trunk the 30,000 capacity stadium to cheer the team's.

The football boss in Akwa Ibom State hints that both the host Football Association, the State Government, stakeholders, the Enugu State Football Association, Enugu Rangers International Management have been working hard to ensure maximum support for all Nigerian clubs in the CAF champions League and CAF confederation cup for better results.