No easy match in NPFL says Rangers Int'l coach

Posted : 19 February 2024

A 48-minute, 25-yard long-range effort from the boots of Rangers International FC left-back Kenneth Igboke turned out to be the only goal of Match Day 20 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) 2023/2024 second-round opener against Akwa United. The match played inside a packed Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday saw the Flying Antelopes start the second stanza on high.

It was a domineering first-half display from the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu-trained side that had a full complement of the squad that dispatched Rivers United in a rescheduled fixture late in January, except for Opara Austin, which saw a lot of missed opportunities for the home side, especially from the duo of Kazeem Ogunleye and Chidiebere Nwobodo.

As the second half was about to start, Coach Ilechukwu pulled off Naziru Auwalu for Onyemaechi Austin to push further for the needed opener, which came just three minutes after the re-start. Ikenna Stephen and Chidiebere Nwobodo combined well on the right to deliver a cross that was nodded out by the defence line of Akwa United, but only to find a lurking Igboke who was chest-trapped before unleashing a half-volley that nestled in the net and sending the crowd into wild celebrations.

The goal, however, brought out the attacking best of the Uyo side as they swooped on the backline of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ but met stiff resistance from the duo of David Chimezie and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi in 58 minutes.

The ‘Promise Keepers’ were offered a lifeline as the referee pointed to the penalty spot after a foul on Sani Suleman inside the box, but Friday Ubong saw his effort from the spot pushed against the upright by Japhet Opubo and finally cleared by the defence line on the hour mark.

Rangers had more opportunities to increase the score line but missed through Godwin Obaje, Kazeem Ogunleye, Austin Onyemaechi, and Chidiebere Nwobodo, even as there was a first-time for new boy Zulkifilu Rabiu Muhammed as the encounter came to an end with Rangers extending their edge over the Uyo side to 12 wins, 6 losses, and 8 drawn encounters.

Alli Suleman, chief coach of the Enugu side, said in a post-match chat, “It was a great game against a tough opponent.

''There is no easy match in the NPFL; we thank God for giving us the victory that we worked hard to achieve.

''They came with a game plan to deny us, but we stuck to our game plan and got the result we wanted.

''We shall continue to work on the team until our set target is achieved at the end of the season.”

Rangers will next take a trip to the Pantami Stadium, Gombe, for a date with Doma United in a matchday 21 fixture on Saturday, February 24, 2024, just as the Coal City side now occupies the 7th spot on the log with 31 points from twenty matches.

No easy match in NPFL says Rangers Int'l coach

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