After a very brilliant start in the rescheduled match day 14, NPFL fixture inside the Lafia City stadium that saw the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C take an early lead against host, Nasarawa United, the coach Salisu Yusuf tutored side, ended on a losing note.
Israel Abia had curled in a beauty of a free kick from the edge of the box on 4 minutes after Ugochukwu Ugwuoke was fouled to send the travelling fans on a celebrative mood but the celebrations had hardly died down when the referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Chinedum Ohanachom which was dispatched by Abubakar Lawal on 7 minutes.
Rangers took the game to their host with Christian Madu, Tony Shimaga, Ibrahim Olawoyin and Ugwuoke Ugochukwu all involved but their dominance could not turn to goals as the ‘Solid Miners’ back line led by Moses Tsehuan and Chineme Martins stood out.
As the minutes went bye, the host got emboldened and ventured forward with Ikenna Ofor, Haggai Katoh, Chinedum Ohanachom and Abubakar Lawal pulling the strings but the Anthony Franklin led defense held out till the end of the first stanza.
The second half started as the first ended with the host enjoying more possession and was rewarded on 52 minutes when Abubakar Abdullahi reacted well to stab home a rebound after Rangers backline failed to clear their line when Japhet Opubo stopped an initial shot from the right-back.
The host had two more opportunities to extend their lead on 57 and 60 minutes but Opubo did well to keep Rangers in the match with his reflex saves.
With only two minutes on the clock remaining, Ibrahim Olawoyin went on his dribbling runs that saw him ghost past three markers to lay a pass to Ugwuoke but his shot inside the box was safely gathered by goalkeeper, Danlami Umar while deep into added-on time, the fleet footed Olawoyin went past four markers but his shot went way off target.
Rangers’ assistant coach, Mbwas Mangut, said after the encounter, “It was a game we had under control but somehow we lost it. I feel very bad about this loss because we have really worked to get something from this match and we started on the right track. Hopefully, we still have some games in hand that will take us up the log.”
Rangers will this weekend trade tackles with Adamawa United in a match day 22 fixture inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium with kickoff fixed for 4.00pm.
RANGERS TEAM: Japhet Opubo, Ifeanyi Nweke (Uche John -87th min.), Isaac Loute, Tony Shimaga, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Anthony Franklin, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, Israel Abia (Chinonso Eziekwe -65th min.), Ifeanyi George (Nnamdi Egbujuo -79th min.), Ibrahim Olawoyin, Christian Madu. SUBS NOT USED: Nana Bonsu, Dauda Madaki, Kehinde Adedipe.
GOAL: Israel Abia – 4th Minute.
Referee: Fawole Olawale – FIFA- Kaduna.
