RANGERS SECURE VITAL AWAY WIN IN LAGOS

A twenty-five minutes glancing header by captain of reigning league champions, Rangers International F.C, Chinemerem Ugwueze off a well taken corner-kick by Kazeem Ogunleye which nestled inside the net, turned out to be the only and winning goal of the rescheduled match day 2, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture against Ikorodu City F.C for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ first away win of the season inside Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu kept faith with the starting team that lost in the CAF champions league to Angolan side save for the trio of Lucky Abdullahi, Chinemerem Ugwueze and Effimi Nsi and they did not wait long in taking the game to the half of the host with two glaring chances missed by Ugwueze on 3 and 5 minutes of play.

Tried as much as the attacking duo of Frank Uwumiro and Anayor Ogbonna did for the Enugu side, they could not break through the backline of the host anchored around the duo of Ohaegbulam Chibuike and Ngenge Leonard.

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

Isaac Saviour and Okorie Chiedozie had chances to increase the goal haul for Rangers on 84 and 88 minutes of play but could not make it count and late into stoppage time, Kazeem Ogunleye received his marching order after been shown a second caution for descent.

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, Chinecherem Ugwueze said after the encounter, “I feel excited the goal proved to be an important goal for the team and that is also good for us to maintain the maximum three points and from here, we are going forward of cause. 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 opponent were able to put up a very good fight against the champions of Nigeria Premier Football League.”

Rangers will at the weekend, September 29, 2024 engage table topping Remo Stars F.C in a match day 4 fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun State, with kickoff fixed for 4:00 pm.

CREDIT: R.I.F.C.E MEDIA TEAM