2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 1: Goalless encounter marks the beginning of new season

Posted : 01 September 2024

As the much-awaited 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) kicked off on Saturday, Aug. 31, the defending champions were held to a goalless draw by the visiting El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

The goalless encounter, which served as the curtain raiser for the 2024/2025 NPFL season played inside Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, was, however, regarded as an under-par effort from both sides.

Although both teams displayed great football artistry to the admiration of fans who came out to watch the match, it failed to produce a winner.

The season’s opening fixture saw NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, NPFL C.O.O. Prince Davidson Owumi, Enugu F.A. Chairman Barrister Tony Ugwu, and many top football aficionados in attendance. They witnessed several innovations from the home side, such as the cresting of the match day jersey, as is done in other leagues.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu fielded a starting lineup that included two new players, Evans Ogbonda and Ekeson Okorie, along with other notable players from last season’s championship-winning team in a 4-3-3 formation. Despite their efforts, they were unable to break the resistance of the Maiduguri boys.

Rangers’ forward trio of Chiedozie Okorie, Ekeson Okorie, and Saviour Isaac were well contained by the visitors’ defense, led by Muktar Mohammed and Monday Daniel, which eased the pressure on goalkeeper Abine George.

On the other end, the visiting team's lone striker, Gimba Ajiji, was a thorn in the side of Rangers’ defense, led by Opara Austin and Onyebuchi Ifeanyi. Ajiji’s bulky frame created problems, but Japhet Opubo’s timely clearance in the 24th minute denied him a good opportunity.

As the game progressed, more chances were created by the home side but went unutilized, especially in the 32nd minute when the ball got stuck between Onyebuchi Ifeanyi’s legs with a wide-open net in front of him after a fine exchange of passes.

The introduction of Onyekachi Okafor and Bashir Usman further strengthened the ‘Flying Antelopes’ attack, but the Maiduguri side absorbed all the pressure while attempting to counter with some great moves.

Rangers’ final substitute, Williams Wonah, had the best opportunity to secure all three points in the last minute of added time, but his effort flew over the bar after being set up by an intelligent pass from Kazeem Ogunleye.

Coach Ilechukwu said after the match, “Today was one of the worst games we have played in this stadium, and I am very sad about it because we had our game plan.

"Sometimes football can be funny, and things don’t go as planned; El-Kanemi is a very good side, and they gave us a great match.

"We have to put this result behind us quickly and plan with a positive mindset for our upcoming matches.

"It was a disappointing performance from us, no doubt, but we must forge ahead.”

Captain Chinemerem Ugwueze added in the post-match chat, “It was a bad day at the office for us.

"The result was not what we expected. I believe we are better than this.

"It’s just that our plans didn’t go as expected. Yes, we are concerned about our current lack of goals because without goals you can’t win matches, but I believe we will soon find our scoring form and make our fans proud again.”

Rangers will next host Angola’s league runners-up, Sagrada Esperança, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/2025 from September 13-15, 2024, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 1: Goalless encounter marks the beginning of new season

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