2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 32 Win Over Plateau United Excites Flying Antelopes Coach Ilechukwu

Posted : 30 April 2024

The Head Coach of Rangers International FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu, is now over the moon about his side's prowess in dealing with the noisy Plateau United FC in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 32 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, "the Cathedral," which his team won 2-0.

The Coal City "Flying Antelopes" maintained their stronghold on the top spot of the 2023/2024 NPFL with the convincing win over visiting Plateau United FC on Sunday, a fixture that had over half of the stadium seats taken up by fans.

Okorie Chiedozie opened the scoring on 25 minutes after skipping past three markers to slip the ball past Suraj Ayeleso, who had been superb between the sticks for the "Peace Boys" from the Tin City of Jos, bravely stopping a second-minute stinging shot from Kenneth Igboke and doing well to push out Isaac Saviour's effort on 7th minutes.

The home side settled into their stride quickly as coach Fidelis Ilechukwu opted for a 4-4-2 formation to counter his opponent coach, Mbwas Mangut's 3-5-2 formation, with the quartet of Ugochukwu Ejike, Isaac Saviour, Kazeem Ogunleye, and Kalu Nweke dictating the pace in the middle of the pack.

It was only a matter of time before the visitors' backline cracked.

Rangers went into the break with their noses in front, and on resumption of the second stanza, the visitors upped their game but met stiff resistance from the backline of Rangers, which included two former Plateau United gladiators, Onyebuchi Ifeanyi and Austin Opara.

Despite their efforts in the second half, it was the home side that added another goal at the tail end of the encounter when former league top scorer, Godwin Obaje, dusted himself off after being wrestled down inside the box. He dribbled his way past his marker in a rare counter-attack, blasting past Suraj Ayeleso in the 90th minute to increase his tally for the season to nine goals.

Coach Ilechukwu Fidelis, in a chat, said, "I think it was a great one for us. I am pleased about the outcome of this game because it was a game we prepared very well for, knowing that we had struggled in our last two away games and had to bounce back to give our fans something to cheer, especially against my former team who had boasted too much about this match even before it was played. I thank God for the three points today."

Also speaking, the club's top scorer, Godwin Obaje, said, "Before the game, we knew it was going to be difficult, and we had to prepare extra hard to ensure we got the needed result to steady us in our chase for a good finish to the season.

"As for my goal, I had to steady my nerves to slot the penalty because it came at a tough time, and I thank God for scoring."

Rangers are on top of the 20-team NPFL log with 57 points from 32 matches and will next take on Kano Pillars FC in a Round of 64 encounter of the President Federation Cup 2024 in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 32 Win Over Plateau United Excites Flying Antelopes Coach Ilechukwu

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