With the graceful exit from the second tier continental club competition, Total/CAF Confederation cup 2019/2020, the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C have shifted its focus to the NPFL for a top finish as it targets a harvest of points in a rescheduled M.D 6 fixture against Lobi Stars in Makurdi.
After a 1-1 draw with Egyptian side, Al-Masry S.C at the weekend inside a packed Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, the Salisu Yusuf tutored side are on the road to neighbors, Lobi Stars F.C complete with former gaffer, Olugbenga Ogunbote, in a rescheduled NPFL fixture.
Coach Salisu who praised the fighting spirit of his wards in the continental encounter said that he was going to deploy the same measure of seriousness and passion towards all matches in the NPFL stressing, “Yes, we are faced with a lot of difficult fixtures in the next three weeks but we have the personnel to defend our colors. We start with the match against Lobi Stars and the players know what is at stake and have promised to give their all for the maximum points.”
Going into this match day 6, rescheduled encounter, both sides have enjoyed rich vain of form even with the host occupying the top spot at a point while the visiting Coal city landlords who started the season on a somewhat slow lane have gradually worked their way away from the basement of the log even with half a dozen matches in hand due to continental engagements and have not lost a match in all competitions since the 2-1 loss to neighbors, Heartland in Okigwe.
Lobi Stars’ last five NPFL results reads; L,W,D,L,W while the visitor’s performance over the last five NPFL games says; W,W,W,L,L. With 31 points from 17 matches and occupying the second position, Lobi Stars would want to guard its rear against a rampaging Rangers side that have chalked up 15 points from twelve games played and looking to quickly work its way up the ladder.
Also worthy of note going into this encounter is that Lobi Stars parades a razor sharp forward line that has seen them find the back of the opponent’s net nineteen times while their back line has been very tight leaking in nine goals in 17 matches while the resurgent, Rangers International F.C has thirteen goals scored and thirteen conceded in twelve matches played thus far.
For the coach of Lobi Stars, Olugbenga Ogunbote, who was in charge at the ‘Flying Antelopes’ when they won the Aiteo cup in a come-from-behind win over Kano Pillars F.C in the now famous, ‘Asaba Miracle’, would be relying on the smartness of Samad Kadiri in attack with able assistance from Dauglas Achiv, Mathias Samuel, Dauda Maigashiri, Arit Utibe, Tiza Samuel, Chigozie Obasi and Abdullahi Mohammed while expecting expert cover for his shot stopper from the likes of Ernest Governor,
On his part, coach Salisu Yusuf might be missing the services of top marksman, Ifeanyi George and mercurial midfielder, Chiamaka Madu and defender, Ugwu Uwadiegwu who are down with one form of injury while counting on the likes of Samson Adedipe, Tope Olusesi and ‘Home Boys’, Isaac Loute and Anthony Shimaga, Kenechukwu Agu and a host of others would come to the party.
Encounters between both teams have never been easy either in Makurdi or Enugu and fans are assured of adequate reward for fees paid as coach Ogunbote comes up against his former wards inside Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi.
