RANGERS MISS FIRST AWAY WIN OF THE SEASON IN ABA
Read Time:2 Minute, 27 Second
But for the heroics of Enyimba International F.C of Aba’ goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke, who produced a masterclass save to deny visitors, Rangers International F.C of Enugu, a last minute goal opportunity, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ would have secured its first win on the road in a match day 15, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture at the Enyimba F.C Stadium, Aba.
A counter attacking moves by the visitors saw them defend a corner kick deep into stoppage time and substitute, Naziru Auwalu sent a telegraphic pass that found another substitute, Odoh Joel in the center circle as he raced with the ball towards the goal and had the goalkeeper at his mercy but took much time for the returning defenders to catch up with him which reduced the force of the shot he took for Olorunleke to push out for harmless corner kick on 90+3 minutes.
The host had taken a 10th minutes lead off a Chijioke Mbaoma’ blistering header as he connected with a Chidiebere Nnachi’ deflected cross as coach Fidelis Ilechukwu made five changes to the squad that defeated Sporting Lagos at the weekend handing starts to Leonard Ugochukwu, Agu Kenechukwu, Kalu Nweke and Kingsley Maduforo and Philip Clement.
Despite conceding the opening goal, the visitors searched for an early leveler that could not come as they wished as the home side came close to increasing the tally through Joseph Atule and Mbaoma but Detan Ogundare, in goal for Rangers proved his worth between the sticks as he was able to keep out shorts aimed at his goal.
On resumption of the second stanza, Godwin Obaje was introduced into the match and the tide changed in the favor of the visitors as the coach Finidi George’ wards were pushed back to contain the onslaught from the Enugu boys.
Opportunities came the way of Chidiebere Nwobodo and Agu Kenechukwu to level scores but Olorunleke proved his mettle as he punched and parried goal bound shots but he could do little to stop substitute, Kazeem Ogunleye’ sublime strike from nestling in the net on 87 minutes for the much needed equalizer.
With the result, Rangers now has nineteen points from fourteen matches and will next play oldest rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in a rearranged match day 16 encounter slated for December 28, 2023.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said after the match, “It was a good game that we could have won but we are happy with the one point we got against a top side like Enyimba who competed on the continent this season. We did not have a good first half but when we made changes in the second half, we pushed them back and could have grabbed the winning goal in the very last minute of the encounter but their goalkeeper made a good save. We continue working on the team till we get the right mix to help us achieve our targets this season.”
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0