Rangers Int'l FC's return to ``the Cathedral'' excites Coach Ilechukwu

Posted : 29 December 2023

The Technical Adviser of Rangers International FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has expressed optimism that the return of the club to its original home ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium (The Cathedral), is a sign of more good things to come for the club.

Ilechukwu made his feelings known on the heels of his team's emphatic 2-0 win over arch-rival Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan on Match Day 16 of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Coincidentally, it was the last match of 2023 before the AFCON 2023 January break.

The Flying Antelopes were previously forced to play their home matches away in Awka because the playing turf of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was not good enough and was subsequently banned by the league body.

However, the Enugu state government took up the challenge of restoring the grass pitch, which lasted for about two years.

Playing their first home match at the Cathedral for the first time in over 100 weeks, the Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored team defeated the Oluyole Warriors with a clean sheet of 2-0.

It was another great day in the office for Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his team as the 'Flying Antelopes,' Rangers International F.C, returned to their hallowed ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, after over two and a half seasons, to dispatch the hard-fighting 'Oluyole Warriors.

Coach Ilechukwu kept faith with the matchday squad that earned a draw in Aba over a week ago, except for the duo of Kingsley Maduforo and Leonard Ugochukwu. It was a smooth start for the Enugu side with their 4-3-3 formation that pushed the visitors back into their defensive shells.

Goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda produced some heroic moments to deny the game early goals, punching, blocking, and parrying all that was aimed at his goal. Especially in the 23rd and 24th minutes, when he produced two great saves to stop Kenechukwu Agu's efforts from going in.

Still, he could do little to prevent Kalu Nweke's connecting header off a well-weighted Kenechukwu Agu's cross in the 27th minute, sending the home fans that thronged 'The Cathedral' in their tens of thousands into rapturous celebrations.

Godwin Obaje had another opportunity to punish the visitors 40 minutes later, but he took too much time on the ball for the retrieving defense to choke him out for space in a rare counter-attacking move by the home side.

In the second stanza, an injury to Kenechukwu Agu saw the introduction of Kazeem Ogunleye, as Odoh Joel also took the place of Onyemaechi Austin on 63 minutes. Stability was restored to the home side's play in the middle of the pack as the visitors seemed to show some dominance with the introduction of Pyagbara Dumte, Ayobami Abiodun, and Kareem Ademola.

Odoh Joel failed to make it count in the 68th minute after being set through on goal by Kazeem's sublime pass, just as Obaje failed to connect home in the 71st minute, as an Odoh pass found him with the yawning net at his mercy.

Substitute Okorie Chiedozie put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute after he dribbled his way past two markers to curl in a shot that may be a contender for goal of the season, past Ovunda for the second goal of the encounter and his first premiership strike, sending the packed stands into wild jubilations.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu responded that it was a good match with a good result against a quality side.

"We expected a tough match, and that is what we got on our first match before our loyal fans and supporters in over two and a half seasons.

"Our first half was top-notch, but we slowed down a bit in the second, giving our opponent the opportunity to come out and fight. But with the second goal and others that we missed, I give my boys a thumbs up.

"No doubt, the newly relaid pitch did not give my players the perfect place to do their thing. I must thank the Enugu state government for ensuring that we return to Enugu and play before our fans, whom we appreciate for always standing by us."

Kalu Nweke, who scored the club’s first goal for the season as well as the first on the newly renovated pitch of 'The Cathedral,' said, "I am indeed happy that we got the maximum points today against 3SC.

"For the goal I scored, it was a team effort, and we hope to continue this way until we realize our set target for the season."

With the victory, Rangers now have twenty-two points from fifteen matches and still occupy the 9th spot on the twenty-team log. They will next play Bendel Insurance F.C. at the Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin-City, in a Match Day 17 fixture.

Rangers Int'l FC's return to ``the Cathedral'' excites Coach Ilechukwu

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