Loute blames chilly weather for Rangers’ defeat in Sousse
As reactions continue to trail Rangers 1-2 loss at Etoile Du Sahel in the CAF Confederation group match played last Sunday, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ defender, Isaac Loute has blamed the loss on the unfavourable weather condition the team faced during the match.
Although Bright Silas gave Rangers the lead in the 15th minute, Iheb Maskani and Saddam Ben Aziza scored a goal each to hand the Nigerian representatives their first defeat in the ongoing Confederation Cup.
Speaking to Daily Trust, the former Kano Pillars and FC IfeanyiUbah player said the Rangers players did their best to cope with the cold weather in Sousse but there was nothing or little they could do to avoid the defeat.
He said Rangers showed determination and courage to withstand the unfavourable weather conditions but at a stage, it became like they were playing in snow.
“It is unfortunate that we suffered our first defeat in the competition. We did our best against Etoile Du Sahel but the unfavourable weather condition didn’t help us.
“The weather was too cold and so in as much as we tried to keep warm to be able to play our game, we found it hard to cope till the end.
“My happiness is that we gave our opponents a good fight. It was not a stroll in the park for them. I believe we shall also take advantage of our weather to get back our pound of flesh from them,” he said.
The Benin Republic international maintained that Rangers will bounce back to winning ways when they host the North Africans in the return leg.
He said the seven time Nigerian champions have since returned to the drawing board to re-strategise ahead of the fixture.
Rangers are billed to host Etoile du Sahel in Enugu on March 3.