Premiership side, Rangers International F.C of Enugu, Monday, December 14, 2020, earned the right to take part in the final match of Ifeanyi Ekweme/Tico Select Pre-season tourney taking place in Enugu, the Coal-City after a double win over Pxel Football Academy and NNL side, Apex Krane F.C of Agbor, Delta state.
In the first match of the day inside UNEC Stadium, Enugu, the coach Salisu Yusuf wards had to work their socks off to subdue Delta state Armature side, Pxel Football Academy off a sublime strike from Agu Kenechukwu on 69 minutes off an inch-perfect cross from Timothy Simon cross.
Efforts to get more goals by the ‘Flying Antelopes’ went unfulfilled by a combination of factors that include splendid goalkeeping from Frank Ezeh who stood between the sticks for the Academy side with some near misses from substitutes, Emeka Ayogueke, Christian Nnaji, and Daniel Vendaga.
The second game of the group saw Rangers take on a much stiffer opposition in the form of NNL side, Apex Krane F.C of Agbor, Delta state with former Rangers, Tosan Blankson, directing affairs from the bench.
However, the sleek play of the NNL side was clipped as the game crept past the quarter-hour mark when Chiamaka Madu, Femi Ajayi, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, and Dauda Madaki switched on their A-game and before long, an inviting corner kick from Isaac Loute was met by Ugwuoke Ugochukwu who directed it past the groping hands of Amabetare Pibowei for the opening goal.
Chances to increase the tally for the Enugu side failed to materialize despite chances that were created while the NNL side upped their game and twice came close to restoring parity before the end of the first stanza but Japhet Opubo was up to the task.
On 64 minutes Harrison Nelson drew the Agbor side level after he was left with much space to operate by Rangers’ backline but with five minutes to the end of the encounter, a goal-bound Abia Israel was upended inside the opponent’ vital area and the referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty kick that was neatly converted by last season’ NPFL top scorer.
Rangers will now await the winner of Group B that has Rivers United, Ingas F.C, and Godosky F.C to challenge in the final match.
