10th December, 2011
The 30-year wait for a major trophy continues for Nigeria’s Ranger International of Enugu after they lost 3-1 on penalties to Dyto of Togo in the semi-finals of the sub-regional WAFU Cup Friday.
MTNFootball.com reports that Rangers opened scoring against Dyto only for the Togolese team to draw level and then win in the resulting penalty shootout in Lome.
Once a dominant force in Nigerian football and beyond, The Flying Antelopes, as Rangers are fondly called, have yet to land a major piece of silverware in many years.
Sunday’s WAFU Cup final will now be between Gamtel of Gambia and hosts Dyto after the Gambians shocked 2009 champions and tournament favourites Horoya of Guinea, also on penalties after scores were tied at 2-2 by full time.
Debutants Gamtel won the penalty shootout 4-3 meaning there will be two new finalists in this year’s edition of the sub-regional tournament.
Rangers will take on Horoya in a match for third place trophy also on Sunday.
Sharks of Port Harcourt were last year’s winners of a competition that has been won by several Nigerian clubs including New Nigeria Bank, Ranch Bees, Shooting Stars and Bendel Insurance.