The very fine form that has seen seven-time Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C of Enugu chalk up ten of the available twelve points at stake over four match days of the NPFL 2020/2021 season was halted as resolute defending from visiting Lobi Stars ensured that the spoils was shared at the end of proceedings in Enugu.

Coach Salisu Yusuf of Rangers made three changes to his match day 5 squad that were forced to a 1-1 draw by MFM in Lagos with Shedrack Asiegbu, Osas Okoro and Israel Abia making the cut for a starting place and it was wave after wave of attacks by the ‘Flying Antelopes’ but the visitors were resolute in their defending.

As early as the second minute, Christian Nnaji had an opportunity to put the host in front after he was set up by an Osas Okoro’ inviting cross but despite looping the ball over onrushing Moses Ocheje, the ball did not find its way into the yawning net as the visitors’ defenders reacted well to clear the danger.

Dauda Madaki had a wonderful game as his pace and dribbling skills was a handful for Lazarus John at the right-back but his crosses left much to be desired as Ocheje was always alert to make easy catches.

The visitors’ backline of Alex Aghahowa, Moses Tsehuan, Ebube Duru and Duke Osimaga did a good job of their duties in ensuring supplies did not get to Rangers front men and the few times that they were breached, Ocheje was at hand to foil the danger.

Despite early substitutions that saw the duo of Shedrack Asiegbu and Christian Nnaji make way for Kenechukwu Agu and Femi Ajayi at the half hour mark, the visitors failed to bulge to all that was thrown at it.

Not even the referee’ marching order given to Ossy Martins with twelve minutes left on the clock could tilt the game in the host’ favor as the further introduction of Ifegwu Ojukwu, Godspower Aniefiok and Chidiebere Nwobodo could not break down the visitor’s defense.

Goalkeeper Nana Bonsu of Rangers, who in spite of his mother’ death on the morning of the game in faraway Kumasi, Ghana, was at his best to keep his side in the game on two occasions when Chinonso Okonkwo and Ossy Martins were clear on goal.

Rangers gaffer, coach Salisu Yusuf said after the match, “It was a good game. In the game of football you don’t win all the time even when Lobi Stars gave us a very good fight to earn a draw. There were some lapses from us on the field of play and we deviated from our style of play, became jittery and could not find their rhythm which made it difficult for us to score. However, we focus for the next game.”

RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Osas Okoro, Nweke Ifeanyi, Tony Shimaga, Uche John, Ernest Governor, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke (Ifegwu Ojukwu -73rd Min.), Christian Nnaji (Femi Ajayi -27th Min.), Israel Abia (Godspower Aniefiok -73rd Min.), Shedrack Asiegbu (Kenechukwu Agu -27th Min.), Dauda Madaki (Chidiebere Nwobodo -61th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Femi Thomas, Isaac Loute, Franklin Ebuka, Chinonso Eziekwe .

REFEREE: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa – Lagos.

NORBERT OKOLIE
Media/Communication Officer
Rangers International F.C, Enugu.
Facebook Page: Rangers International F.C of Enugu
Twitter: @RangersInt’Ifc

Instagram page: rangersinternationalfcenugu

This tournament which promises to be the biggest preseason tournament this season will feature eight NPFL clubs and should be a fitting cutting drawer to clubs’ preseason activities before the 2020/21 NPFL season kicks off.

Thirteen teams are slated to feature in this edition. They are defending champions, Lobi Stars, Enyimba, Rivers United, Rangers, Heartland, FC IfeanyiUbah, Warri Wolves, Abia Warriors, Apex Krane, Ingass FC, J. Atete, Ifeanyi Ekwueme Football Academy and PXEL Football Academy.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, December 11 for the draws billed for Aaron Suites, Independence Layout, Enugu. The matches commence on Saturday morning.

The tournament is primarily for clubs using the Tico/Select brand of kits but other clubs are also accommodated.

Lobi Stars defeated Ingass FC in the final of the maiden edition held in Enugu last year.

In a match that saw the Rangers gaffer, Coach Benedict Ugwu wring as much as five changes to his re-scheduled match day 1 squad three days back, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ got up to a flying start with an attack led by Ifeanyi George causing the visitors a lot of worries.

To their credit, the coach Tony Bulus’ backline ably marshaled by Joshua  Akpudje and Kabiru Moshood stood their ground to soak up all pressures thrown at them while looking to catch the host on the counter through lone striker, Adeniji Adewole.

As early as the 8^th minute, the visitors showed its intent as a quick counter was snuffed out by a diligent Anthony Shimaga after a corner kick was wasted by the home side.

Rangers’ quartet of Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, Ibrahim Olawoyin, Chinonso Eziekwe and Ifeanyi George continued to probe for more cracks at the back of the visitors but it was hard to find which gave rise to shooting from outside of the box that failed to worry goalkeeper, Folarin Abayomi on most occasions.

In the last ten minutes of the first half, Rangers did well to create three scoring chances that fell for Olawoyin on 35 minutes and Eziekwe on 37 and 43 minutes but were wasted and in a counter, the visitors got the only goal of the match as a Kenedinum Chucks’ curly shot from the edge of the box sneaked into the far corner of the net on 44 minutes.

All efforts by the CAF Confederation cup 2019/2020 hopefuls to turn the tide proved abortive as the visitors soaked up all that was thrown at it especially in the last quarter-hour of the encounter that saw substitutes, Godspower Aniefiok and Sadick Abass turn the screw in.

It would have been worse for the host after Adeniji set up Ogwu Clement after dusting off Nwokeji but Mutawakilu gathered the glancing header on 78 minutes.  

To cap a real bad day in the office when mother luck deserted the ‘Flying Antelopes’ fold, a glancing header by Ifeanyi George beat everybody but the cross bar came to the rescue of the visitors on 90 minutes.

Coach Ugwu of Rangers managed to say after the home loss, “This was not what we worked for. It was a bad day and luck was not on our side today. We hope to rise from this defeat and get better in subsequent matches.”

Captain of the side, Tope Olusesi, said, “Football is a funny game. We did the playing today, failed to convert chances created and the only one that came their way, they scored. That is the game for us. It is a painful loss.”

Rangers will on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 trade tackles with Rivers United in a match day 4 fixture of the NPFL at Yakubu Gowon stadium, Elekahia, Port-Harcourt, Rivers state and will be looking to redeem its image in that encounter.

RANGERS TEAM: Seidu Mutawakilu, Tope Olusesi, Chiemeka Nwokeji, Anthony Shimaga, Uche John, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Ibrahim Olawoyin (Dauda Madaki -65^thMin.), Chinonso Eziekwe (Godspower Aniefiok -57^th Min.), Ifeanyi George, Chiamaka Madu, Ugwuoke Ugochukwu (Abass Sadick -75^th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Femi Thomas, Isaac Loute, Akpos Adubi, Kehinde Adedipe

Another good display was not enough to prevent the Owena Whales from recording their first loss of the season in a disappointing Thursday’s afternoon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Coach Kabiru Dogo made four changes to the makeshift side that drew with Warri Wolves on Sunday as four new signings: Jamiu Alimi, Bright Akpojubweuvwo, Jonathan Zikiye and Sadiq Rilwan were handed their debut in the Orange and Blue jersey.

The quartet replaced Kehinde Adeyemi, Tope Akande, Alaba Adeniyi and Seun Olulayo in the first XI and their inclusion to have given the side instant synergy as Sunshine Stars dominated territory and possessions from the kick off.

During the dominance spell for the Owena Whales, midfield dynamo, Anthony Omaka had a glancing header saved by Seidu Mutawakilu inside the opening 10 minutes before drawing yet another impressive save from the goalkeeper in the 15′.

The best of the chances fell to Israel Abia who brilliantly outwit and paced out his marker to a pass in the area, but could not manage to put a tamed jab pass on-rushing Mutawakilu in the 35′.

Shortly after, it was time for the hosts to threaten, the former champions surged forward and knitted a few a passes together to create chance for Dauda Alkali who dragged his left-footed effort wide five minutes from the break.

Eight minutes after the restart Saliu Suleiman pulled a decisive goal line save to deny Rangers during a corner kick scuffle.

Nevertheless, the Flying Antelopes broke the deadlock in the 55′ through Egbujuo who was on hand to finish off a well crafted out chance by Ugochukwu Ugweke from the byline.

Sunshine Stars continued to probe after going down and were close to restoring parity when Rilwan beat his marker and an unleashed from the edge but his low drive, heading for the bottom left was kept out by Mutawakilu in the 73′.

With hitman, Abia injured and substituted in the closing stages Sunshine Stars looked to have lost some of it fear factors as Rangers closed out the game with little trouble for their first win of the season.

The Akure Landlords will next make a short trip across the East from the Coal City to Umuahia for a match day three contest with Abia Warriors on Sunday.

Dogo’s Post Match Quotes

“One will wonder why my team could not get something from this game with the way the boys played. Though I know we need to work more on the attack, I am confident we will get it right.

“Today four of the new players were able to play for us and I have no doubts things will improve by the time we have all the new players available.”

Sunsbine XI | Suleiman; Abe, Zikiye, Akpojubweuvwo, Alimi; Fatokun, Omaka, Rilwan; Ekelojuoti; Otegbeye (Adejubu 63′), Abia (Adeyemi 79′)

Unsed Subs | Ariyo; Obasi, Olulayo, Akande, Obanigba

Cautions | Abe 19′, Fatokun 62′