2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 4: Rangers Int'l coach, Ilechukwu commends players despite 2-1 loss to Remo Stars

Posted : 30 September 2024

The Technical Adviser of Rangers International FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu, commended his team despite the 1-2 loss to Remo Stars in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Match Day 4.

The reigning NPFL champions, the Flying Antelopes, were beaten again on Sunday by last season’s league runner-up, the Sky Blue Stars, who secured another maximum point.

Coach Ilechukwu stuck with the majority of the starting squad that earned a win over Ikorodu City in midweek, with the trio of Okorie Chiedozie, Tekena Garando, and Agu Kenechukwu taking the places of Frank Uwumiro, Anayor Ogbonna, and Kazeem Ogunleye in a 4-5-1 formation that caused the hosts some anxious moments early in the game.

Despite efforts from both sides to breach each other’s backline in the first period of the highly entertaining fixture, no goals were scored, with Lucky Abdullahi being the busier of the two goalkeepers.

However, three goals in the space of ten minutes during the second period decided the encounter in favor of coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s side. Young Oyowah stabbed home the opening goal in the 51st minute, which sparked the attacking momentum of the visitors. Effimi Nsi was upended inside the box after being fed by Ugwueze Chinecherem, who dribbled past four opponents with ease. The referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty, which was expertly converted by Agu Kenechukwu in the 56th minute.

Tochukwu Michael took advantage of a momentary lapse in concentration by the Rangers backline, blasting in his side’s second goal at the hour mark, sending the home fans into wild celebrations.

The introduction of Silas Nenrot, Williams Wonah, and Daniel Onyia by coach Ilechukwu helped push back the hosts, but they failed to find the much-needed equalizer.

After the match, coach Ilechukwu said, "It was a good game. I think we are starting to improve.

"I am happy with the outcome of the game. I love the way my players approached the game today, despite the result.

"The two matches we played after exiting the continental competition have shown that there is hope for our aspirations this season.

"The weak areas we have identified will be worked on, and hopefully, we will bounce back positively."

Rangers will face Bayelsa United on Thursday, October 3, 2024, in a rescheduled Match Day 3 fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 4: Rangers Int'l coach, Ilechukwu commends players despite 2-1 loss to Remo Stars

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