On Monday, the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, earned a 1-1 draw against the home side, Dakkada International F.C in a rescheduled match day 15, NPFL 2022/2023 Abridge season, Group B, encounter.
Coach Abdul Maikaba had almost a new starting match day squad for this fixture with the desire to snatch the maximum points at stake with the trio of Godwin Obaje, Kingsley Maduforo, and Austin Onyemaechi saddled with the task of converting created opportunities.
A quick interchange of passes that involved Ebuka Anthony, Austin Onyemaechi, Kenneth Igboke, and Austin Osayande, saw the young Onyemaechi riffle home a goal-of-the-season contender on 13 minutes to silence the home crowd as the traveling supporters rose to celebrate the goal.
Ten minutes later, the backline of the visitors was caught ball-watching as Kufre Ebong jumped the highest to nod home an inch-perfect cross from a dead ball taken by Karim Abdulaye for the equalizer.
Efforts from both sets of players to increase the tally failed to materialize as quality defending and good goalkeeping ensured that honors were shared.
Coach Maikaba said after the encounter, “Actually we came to Uyo to get the three points at stake but we are happy with the one point. Despite the fact that the weather condition affected my boys especially early in the game but in the second half, they came out with some good football and created a lot of chances. We were not lucky not to have won the game with all our efforts in the second half.”
Rangers’ next NPFL fixture will be against Wikki Tourists F.C of Bauchi at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday, April 30, 2023, while they are expected to trade tackles with Adamawa United F.C in a Round 64, National Federation Cup 2023 at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch inside Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
RANGERS TEAM: Detan Ogundare, Innocent Gabriel, Kenneth Igboke, Chinemerem Ugwueze, Saidu Adamu (Esor Achibong -47th Min.), Kingsley Maduforo (Reuben Bala -82nd Min.), Olawale Doyeni, Ebuka Anthony, Godwin Obaje (Leonard Ugochukwu – 82nd Min.), Austin Osayande (Naziru Auwalu -47th Min.), Austin Onyemaechi (Ejike Uzoenyi – 75th Min.). UNUSED SUBS: Nana Bonsu, Philip Clement, Promise Umeh, Uche John.
GOAL: Austin Onyemaechi – 13th Minute.
NORBERT OKOLIE
Media/Communication Officer
Rangers International F.C, Enugu.
Facebook Page: Rangers International F.C of Enugu
