NPFL 2018/2019 group A table topping side, Rangers International F.C of Enugu suffered its second defeat of the abridged season as old rivals, Bendel Insurance of Benin forced a 2-1 defeat to deny the ‘Flying Antelopes’ any Insurance policy in a re-scheduled match day 8 fixture, sports247.ng reports
The re-arranged encounter which took place, Thursday, April 25, 2019 inside the football pitch of UNIBEN sports complex saw the reigning Aiteo cup champions finishing the match with a man down as their inform striker, Seka Pascal was shown a straight red card on 21 minutes for an off the ball incidence, Nobert Okolie says
Osaghae Junior opened scoring for the host on 35 minutes after some hesistant defending by Rangers backline but the home celebration lasted only four minutes as Kelvin Itoya restored parity for the seven-time champions of the league with a looping header on 39 minutes.
Efforts by both sides to increase the tally failed to yield any dividend as both sides retired to the dressing room on equal basis.
Eight minutes into the second stanza, Stephen Sodje’ connecting header from a corner kick found its way past Nana Bonsu for what turned out to be the match winner.
Bonsu was called to duty on three occasions and he was alive to his duties to deny efforts from Osaghae Junior, Imade Odarenkhoe and Michael Enaruna on 62, 68 and 71 minutes.
Tony Shimaga had his long range effort miss target by whiskers on 83 minutes after evading some tackles from his markers.
Coach Ogunbote of Rangers said after the encounter, “It was a good game that we should have earned a respectable result but for the sending off of our top marksman. Playing a man less for over seventy minutes of the game was very tasking. However, we leave with the positives from the match going forward. We are not under any pressure. It was unfortunate that we have to drop our unbeaten run this way but we hope to start another round of unbeaten runs.”
Captain of the Enugu side, Okey Odita said, “We thank God for a good game that ended without any injuries but sadly we lost the match and our unbeaten run in the league. We showed our stuff even with a player down and that is a positive we take into the remaining matches in the season.”
With one game in hand, Rangers still lead the group A log with 31 points from fifteen matches with its next league encounter scheduled for the Yakubu Gowon stadium, Port-Harcourt where Rivers United will be waiting for a match day 9 re-scheduled fixture.
RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Chidera Ezeh, Ugwu Uwadiegwu (Adun Osamudiamwen -66th Min.), Tony Shimaga, Okey Odita, Akpos Adubi (Issif Traore -73rd Min.), Bright Silas, Seka Pascal, Kelvin Itoya, Solomon Okpako, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke (Ajani Ibrahim -80th Min). SUBS NOT USED: Seidu Mutawakilu, Christian Madu, Ifeanyi Egwim, West Omodu.
GOAL: Kelvin Itoya – 39th Minute.
