A goal in either half of the match day 24, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture against table topping Remo Stars ensured that the reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C earned the bragging rights as they edged past the Ikenne side, 2-1 inside ‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu kept faith with the matchday squad that earned a point in Yenagoa last week, save for Effimi Nsi and Ikenna Stephen, and the selected team never disappointed as they stood shoulders above the coach Daniel Ogunmodede side.
The visitors would have been behind earlier than when they conceded as enterprising Bashir Usman missed a setter on 21 minutes after been fed by Joel Odoh but there was no stopping the defending champions of the league at the half-hour mark when Isaac Saviour fired an unstoppable free kick from about 25 meters that sailed into the net despite efforts by Kayode Bankole to make a save.
When both sides returned to the pitch from the locker room for the start of the second stanza, it was the home side that continued from where they left off in the first as Kingsley Maduforo stabbed home the second goal for the home side when he connected home an inch perfect cross from Flying Eagles’ assistant captain and Rangers left-back, Kenneth Igboke just three minutes into the second half of the match as the half-full stadium went into wild jubilations.
There were chances to further punish the table topping side on 68 and 84 minutes but goalkeeper, Bankole produced some fine saves to keep his side in the game and on 88 minutes, Sikiru Alimi pulled a goal back for the Ikenne side as he was allowed enough space by the defense line to stab home what turned out to be a consolatory goal.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in the post match interactive session, said, “It was a good game that could have been better if we had converted more of the opportunities created. I know we are having some difficult times with injuries to some key players like Kenechukwu Agu, Ejike Ugochukwu, and Kazeem Ogunleye but we are gradually getting back our grove. I knew that today’s game was going to be difficult against the current league leaders but defeating them here in Enugu says a lot about our intentions this season.”
With the win, Rangers now occupy the 3rd spot on the 20 team log with thirty-eight points from 24 matches and would next travel to Umuahia for a match day 25 fixture against oriental rivals, Abia Warriors on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
CREDIT: R.I.F.C.E, MEDIA TEAM