Two first-half goals off the head and boot of Odoh Joel and Godwin Obaje on 16 and 43 minutes of play ensured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C under coach Fidelis Ilechukwu earned its second win of the three weeks old 2023/2024 NPFL season and earned the bragging rights over visiting Niger Tornadoes who got a second-half goal on 54 minutes through Bashir Usman.
The match day 3 encounter brought out the best in both sides as coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Hamza Abarah canceled themselves out in almost all departments of the game with fans in the stands applauding every move of the match played at the Awka City Stadium.
Rangers was the fastest off the block as referee Taiwo David signaled the start of hostilities with the trio of Kazeem Ogunleye, Isaac Saviour, and Chidiebere Nwobodo combining well in the middle of the pack to create over three opportunities that were cut out by the defense line of the ‘Ikon Allah Boys’ while Joshua Enaholo did well to make spectacular saves on two occasions.
On sixteen minutes of play, Rangers’ right-back, Joel Odoh, rose the highest to nod home a Kazeem Ogunleye’ free kick for the opening goal of the encounter while attacking sensation, Godwin Obaje, made it two goals on 43 minutes after he was set up by Chidiebere Nwobodo to dribble past Enaholo and walked the ball into a yawning net to the wild celebration of the fans.
The visitors returned from the break stronger and reduced the deficit just nine minutes after the re-start as dribbling speed star, Bashir Usman blasted past Japhet Opubo at the second time of asking as his first effort was stoutly beaten out by the Rangers shot stopper but his defense line did not react quicker to clear the ball to safety.
Efforts for more goals failed to see the light of the day as the defense lines of both teams did not give away and chance while the goalkeepers were alert to their duties.
Other News: VP Shettima, Ganduje, 14 Other Governors Flag Off APC’s Governorship Campaign In Imo
Coach Suleman Alli, the chief coach of Rangers in a post-match chat, said, “It was a tough match against an excellent side and we thank God for giving us the three points at stake and we hope to keep working on the team till we get it right. Hopefully, the dream team we clamor for in our next game would have emerged.”
With this victory, Rangers now have six points from three matches scored five goals, and leaking four, and will next engage Kwara United at the Ilorin Sports Complex on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
