Rangers International FC Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has described their goalless draw against Bendel Insurance on Saturday as two points dropped, Sports247 reports.
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Rangers secured a hard-fought away point in Benin City on match day 32 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), holding Bendel Insurance FC to a 0-0 stalemate at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Despite the result, Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu expressed mixed emotions. “It was a good match,” he said.
“We came prepared to take all three points and played like it, but in the end, we’re only happy with the draw. This is definitely two points dropped for us. We’ll keep pushing hard to finish the season strong.”
The game was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating chances but lacking the clinical edge to find the breakthrough.
Bendel Insurance enjoyed spells of possession in the first half but struggled to break down Rangers’ well-organized defense.
The best chance of the half came in the 29th minute when Rangers’ Isaac Saviour unleashed a powerful free-kick that narrowly missed the target.
After the break, Rangers upped the tempo and dominated in the final third. The attacking duo of Frank Uwumiro and Godwin Obaje became increasingly influential, testing the Insurance defense with swift movements and clever interplay.
Uwumiro nearly put Rangers ahead five minutes into the second half, and the duo linked up again in the 75th minute, but Obaje failed to make a clean connection with the goal.
Teenager Chimobi Igwilo came off the bench late in the game and made an immediate impact, threatening the Insurance backline on three separate occasions.
However, the home side’s defense held firm to deny him a dramatic late winner.
The result sees both team Rangers move to 46 points from 32 matches, maintaining their push for a strong finish in the league.
Both sides will now focus on the President Federation Cup 2025, with round of 16 fixtures set for April 16 in Lagos.
