A 66th-minute strike from Christian Nnaji for his seventh goal of the season from an Elijah Ani’ assist helped the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C earn the maximum points at stake as the outsmarted host, Warri Wolves, 1-0 in a matchday 29, NPFL 2020/21 fixture in Ozoro, Delta State.
Technical adviser of the Enugu side, Salisu Yusuf had five changes to the squad that earned a draw against Dakkada on matchday 28, largely due to the national team invitations and the fresh legs never disappointed.
With a 4-4-2 formation, the visitors did well in dominating the middle of the pack with the quartet of Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, Esor Achibong, Shedrack Asiegbu, and Christian Madu at their best to deny the host any space to operate.
The attacking duo of Israel Abia and Christian Nnaji were a delight to watch as they were well serviced with crosses from wing-backs, Ifeanyi Nweke and Isaac Loute but found it hard to make hay in over four occasions in the first half as a goalkeeper, John Lawrence made his presence count.
With the match going past the hour mark, coach Salisu introduced some fresh legs that saw Abia and injured, Ugwuoke makes way for Elijah Ani and Kenechukwu Agu, and just three minutes of his introduction, the former Warri Wolves attacker, turned provider as he collected a long ball from Ifeanyi Nweke, outwitted his marker to lay a perfect pass that was fired in beyond a stranded John Lawrence.
Elijah had an opportunity to increase the tally five minutes later but John Lawrence made himself big to deny the effort.
Coach Ortega Deniran made sweeping changes for the host with the introduction of Paul Obata, Mark Daniel, and Deruo Chima but all they threw at the backline of the visitors failed to result in a much sought after equalizer as Ghanaian shot-stopper, Nana Bonsu made sure that the seven-time league champions recorded their second win on the road this season.
Coach Salisu Yusuf, in a chat after the encounter, said, “It was a good game that was well fought by both teams but we stuck to our game plan and got a deserved victory. Warri Wolves did well in the early part of the second half but my players did well to contain them and got the goal which gave us the victory. With more of this kind of result, I believe we can still challenge for a top finish this season.”
RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Ifeanyi Nweke, Isaac Loute (Uche John -76th Min.), Ebuka Anthony, Ernest Governor, Christian Madu, Esor Achibong, Ugwuoke Ugochukwu (Kenechukwu Agu -63rd Min.), Shedrack Asiegbu (Chiamaka Madu -76th Min.), Christian Nnaji (Femi Ajayi -83rd Min.), Israel Abia (Elijah Ani -63rd Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Femi Thomas, Tiesso Charles, Chidiebere Nwobodo, Daniel Vendaga.
