It took the brilliance and alertness of the duo of Chidera Ezeh and Hadi Mohammed to break the resistance of a stubborn Dakkada F.C of Uyo to hand Seven-time Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C its first league win of the ongoing NPFL 2022/2023 Abridge season in a M.D 5 fixture in Awka.
Coach Abdul Maikaba kept faith with the starting team that fetched a hard-fought goalless draw in Kaduna over the weekend save for the introduction of Chidera Ezeh and Reuben Bala and the team did not hide its intention for the day as the trio of Naziru Auwalu, Hadi Mohammed, and Austin Onyemaechi went in search of early goals that failed to materialize.
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The late arrival of the goal could be blamed on the brilliance of the visitor’s shot-stopper, Thomas Omokhude, and the profligacy of the frontmen of the home side as the agile keeper did well to stop an Auwalu’s curly shot on 6 minutes while Austin wasted too much time in picking his spot to bury a defense splitting pass from Auwalu for the retreating backline to rob him of the opportunity at the quarter hour mark.
On 20 minutes, Omokhude produced another splendid save off the boots of Auwalu who was fed by Onyemaechi but at the half-hour mark, the Edo state-born goalkeeper was caught in no-mans-land as Chidera was released by Reuben Bala’ penetrating pass to dribble past the on rushing shot stopper and cut-back for Hadi to stab into a yawning net to send the fans in the stands into wild jubilations.
At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper, Emeka Nwabulu and his defense quartet were kept busy by the fleet-footed Emmanuel Ayaosi and the duo of Kufre Ebong and Ifeanyi Assurance but, their efforts were quickly snuffed out by teenage defense sensation, Kenneth Igboke, doing another yeoman’ job.
More opportunities fell for Chidera Ezeh, Chidiebere Nwobodo, and Christian Nnaji to further punish the visitors with goals in 60, 72, and 85 minutes of the match but they failed to make hay while the sun shone.
Coach Maikaba said at the end of the encounter, “It was a good match that we could have been celebrating with a higher number of goals but we are happy with the three points which have moved us out of the red zone. We keep working to ensure we reach the top to be amongst the best three finishers. We hope to keep the newfound momentum that has seen us not losing our last three matches and keeping two clean sheets against good sides.”
Coach Danladi Umar of Dakkada said, “It was a great display of football from two great sides. We had our opportunities but failed to take them while we conceded through a mistake. We shall keep working till we get it right.”
Rangers will next play Wikki Tourist F.C at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi in a match day 6 fixture on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
