It was another painful loss for the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C in a match day 2, NPFL 2022/2023 abridged season, group B encounter as a Joseph Atule’ 82nd minute fiercely struck shot from a tight angle handed Lobi Stars all three points in a well contested encounter at the New Jos Stadium, Jos.
Both teams had lost their league openers and came into this fixture and started the encounter with some tentative moves but it was the visitors that settled quicker into their strides and would have been a goal up on 12 minutes but Elijah Ani inexplicably failed to connect home a cross from Austin Onyemaechi.
The quartet of Naziru Auwalu, Reuben Bala, Elijah Ani and Austin Onyemaechi continued to push back the host’ backline with opportunities falling for them break the deadlock but a combination of quality goalkeeping from Daniel Emmanuel and some misses meant that Rangers conceded their second loss of the abridged league season.
Coach Abdul Maikaba said after the encounter, “It is unfortunate. We did not play to lose this match. We played very well. My boys played perfectly to instructions and I am happy with the performance of the boys despite the loss. We conceded the goal against the run of play. All the same, we got our own opportunities but were unlucky to have scored. That is football for you. We now go back and prepare for our next game.”
He further said, “We may have started the season not as expected but if a team can win its first two matches, we can also win our next two games to get back our grove. As far as we keep improving in our coming games, I don’t think there is any problem.”
Rangers will next take on Sunshine Stars in a match day 3 fixture at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday, January 22, 2023 with kickoff slated for 3.00 p.m.
