2024/2025 Rescheduled Match Day 2: Rangers earn vital away win in Lagos

Posted : 26 September 2024

A 25th-minute glancing header by the captain of the reigning league champions, Rangers International FC, Chinemerem Ugwueze, off a well-taken corner kick by Kazeem Ogunleye, nestled inside the net and turned out to be the only and winning goal of the rescheduled Match Day 2 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures against Ikorodu City FC.

It is also the first away win for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ this season, recorded at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Watch all NPFL matches here: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu kept faith with the starting team that lost in the CAF Champions League to the Angolan side, except for the trio of Lucky Abdullahi, Chinemerem Ugwueze, and Effimi Nsi. They did not wait long in taking the game to the hosts' half, with Ugwueze missing two glaring chances in the 3rd and 5th minutes of play.

Despite the efforts of the attacking duo of Frank Uwumiro and Anayor Ogbonna for the Enugu side, they could not break through the hosts' backline, anchored around the duo of Ohaegbulam Chibuike and Ngenge Leonard.

The introduction of Chiedozie Okorie and Agu Kenechukwu for Frank Uwumiro and Chinemerem Ugwueze by the visiting coaching crew towards the end of the encounter helped push back the youthful side that had become adventurous at this stage of the match, with goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi proving his worth between the sticks.

Isaac Saviour and Okorie Chiedozie had chances to increase the goal tally for Rangers in the 84th and 88th minutes of play but could not convert them. Late into stoppage time, Kazeem Ogunleye received his marching orders after being shown a second caution for dissent.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in his post-match chat, said, “I am happy. It was a good game, and my players showed quality and a lot of energy as we played against a young side full of running and equally a good side.

“It was an important win for us to calm our players, management, and supporters after our elimination from the continent.

“We thank God for the three points, and we need to work harder to ensure we get much better results in other games on the road.”

Goal scorer and captain of the Enugu side, Chinemerem Ugwueze, said after the encounter, “I feel excited that the goal proved to be an important goal for the team, and it is also good for us to maintain the maximum three points.

“From here, we are going forward, of course. The three points will go a long way for us, at least.

“It will boost our morale. It was not an easy win for us, as our opponents were able to put up a very good fight against the champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League.”

Rangers will, at the weekend on Sept. 29, 2024, engage table-topping Remo Stars FC in a Match Day 4 fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State, with kickoff fixed for 4:00 PM.

2024/2025 Rescheduled Match Day 2: Rangers earn vital away win in Lagos

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