Two second-half goals, one, a re-taken penalty kick and the second, a break in communication between goalkeeper and defender, ensured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C surrendered all three points at stake to host, Lobi Stars in a matchday 20, NPFL 2021/2022 fixture inside Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.
The host, under new management and coaching crew, showed more hunger in the early part of the encounter with Azeez Shobowale, Ifeanyi Ogba, Raphael Ayagwa, and Adams Olamilekan pushing for early goals but Ghanaian shot-stopper for Rangers proved a difficult nut to crack the few times his defense line was breached.
Rangers lively winger, Chidiebere Nwobodo was presented with an opportunity on 45 minutes after receiving a defense splitting pass from Chukwuebuka Okorie and dribbled his way past three defenders but goalkeeper, Emeka Onyia, made himself very big to deny the effort.
The second stanza started with Rangers on the ascendancy as Kenechukwu Agu, Ossy Martins, Ejike Uzoenyi and Samuel Pam turned the heat on the host’s backline but found the host’ shot-stopper, Emeka Onyia in fine form as he was alert to deny Ossy Martins on 53 and 60 minutes to keep his side in the encounter.
On 65 minutes, Raphael Ayagwa converted from the penalty spot on the second attempt after his first effort was brilliantly stopped by Seidu Mutawakilu but the assistant referee ordered for a re-take of the kick to the surprise of the majority of fans that packed inside the stadium.
Kenechukwu Agu had three opportunities to draw his side level on 78, 82, and 84 minutes but the defenders and goalkeeper of the home side threw themselves on the firing line to deny any of them from resting in the net, and on 86 minutes, a harmless clearance from the arc of the center circle found its way past a hesitant, Ebuka Anthony and Ernest Governor as substitute, Utim Godfrey, reacted fastest to slot home past a stranded Seidu Mutawakilu for the second goal of the encounter for the host, Lobi Stars that fell 5-3 in the reverse fixture in Awka.
Coach Abdul Maikaba of Rangers said after the game, “This was not the result we expected from this game as my boys did their best but it was not enough to get us any point for their efforts. Also, my defenders failed to react well leading to the second goal just as I have my reservations over the call for the penalty to be re-taken after the first one was stopped. We thank God for the match and will work on the weak links in the team before our next match.”
Rangers maintains its 3rd position on the log with 34 points from twenty matches and will next play Katsina United in a matchday 21 fixture on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Awka City stadium.
