Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Rivers United Football club, Port Harcourt has ended in 1-1 draw in the last match of Nigeria Premier Football League’s (NPFL) group B Matchday 18 of 18 yesterday at Awka City Stadium, Anambra State.
Rivers United finished first in NPFL group B with 34 points with nine wins, seven draws and two loses, while Rangers International finished eight with 21 points with four wins, nine draws and five loses after all 18 matches played in the season.
Rangers has, therefore, qualified for the Super Six.
Rangers led in the encounter when Samuel Pan scored in twelfth minute of the first half of the NPFL encounter.
Energized on return for the second half of the match, Ebube Duru of Rivers United Football scored goal to equalize for the club on the 50th minute.
Rangers FC coach, Abdul Maikaba said he was unhappy with the officiating While speaking to journalists after the match, questioning why officials should take sides.
He commended his team for playing a physical and better game in the first half but regretted that they could not continue with the same resilience in the second half.
He assured the fans and supporters of Rangers that his team would do well to win confederation cup.
“My team did well in the first half. We should have won the match in first half but my players didn’t utilize the opportunities they had and Rivers came back and equalized in the second half.
“I won’t blame my team for not winning the match but the two officials who took side. I don’t know why it should be like that?
Commenting on the match, the General Manager of Rivers United, Stanley Eguma, commended his team for playing direct football to secure draw with Rangers, adding that Rangers played good but his team provided an antidote to it based on their experience.
He appealed with the League Management Committee (LMC) to ensure the league starts on time to allow the team use it as a preparation match for continental competition.
It is noteworthy that Rangers has been using Awka stadium for their home matches for two seasons now as Enugu State government failed to rehabilitate Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
