As the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored Rangers International F.C continued its build-up towards the fast approaching 2022/2023 football season, it took two goals in either half to stop Asaba, Delta state based Raiders F.C 4-1 in a preseason practice match at Awka City Stadium, Wednesday.
Eboko Ikechukwu opened the flood gate of goals on 9 minutes after he was fed by Joel Okoro but all hopes of total dominance of the Delta state league side that played up till the round of sixteen in this year’s Aiteo cup in Delta state soon evaporated as the youthful side took the fight to their more illustrious opponent and on 27 minutes leveled up through Kenneth after some slack defending.
Adams Musa restored the lone goal lead on 39 minutes from the spot after he was upended in the vital area while further goals from substitute, Christian Nnaji on 65 minutes and Asiegbu Shedrack made the game safe on 84 minutes from the penalty spot after Chidiebere Nwobodo was brought down in the vital area ensured that there was no coming back for Asaba based side.
Vastly experienced tactician, Maikaba, fielded an entirely different team from the one that defeated Lobi Stars a day earlier with youthful, Chizoba Okoh earning the right to stand between the sticks with Rabiu Adamu and Obinna Igboke on the wing-back positions just as Saidu Adamu marshalled the defensive midfield position as Olawale Doyeni and Ifeanyi Umeh got details to take care of the heart of defense.
The trio of Michael Idika, Joel Okoro, and Chukwuebuka Okorie took charge of activities in the middle of the pack while Adams Musa and Ikechukwu Eboko were tasked with the duties of searching for the goals.
Recall that Rangers have been on a nine-day preseason close camping exercise in the Anambra state capital, Awka, playing six matches, winning five and a game ended in a draw.
