Tag: Fidelis Ilechukwu

Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has blamed his wards profligacy in front of goal for their inability to bag  full  points against Kun Khalifat FC in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday One tie that ended goalless on Sunday in Enugu.

The Flying Antelopes were the league champions two seasons ago but were unable to muster spirited title defence and were out of the title race even before the last 10 games of last season.

Reacting to the home draw, Ilechukwu,  said his boys could have got a favourable result if they had taken their chances especially in the first half.

“It was a good game, one we could have settled in the first half if we had taken our chances,” Ilechukwu told journalists. “The team is still a work in progress — we’re building almost from scratch, and I’m confident we’ll improve with time.

“Our opponents were more cohesive, having played together since their NNL days, and I commend them for their performance. We’ll keep working and get things right soon.”

Eight-time NPFL  champions, Rangers International , kicked off their 2025/2026 campaign with a goalless draw against Kun Khalifat FC in a lively Match Day 1 encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

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Backed by a large and enthusiastic home crowd, the Flying Antelopes, under the guidance of  Ilechukwu, showed glimpses of promise but were unable to break down a disciplined Kun Khalifat side.

Ilechukwu, recently back from national duty with the CHAN team, fielded a largely revamped squad, with only a handful of returning players — Odoh Joel, Evans Ogbonda, Austin Opara, and Ogbodo Kelechi — featuring prominently from last season.

Rangers dominated much of the first half, creating several scoring chances. Forwards Alex Jerry and Waheed Adebayo came close, but Kun Khalifat’s goalkeeper, Akpan Nskak-Abong, was in inspired form, denying the hosts at every turn and ensuring the visitors went into the break level.

Seeking a breakthrough, Rangers introduced Kenechukwu Agu, Wisdom Ebirim, and Ganiyu Gberefu in the second half to intensify their attacking efforts. However, the visitors’ backline, expertly organized by coach Uzoho Obinna, remained resolute.

The closest the home side came to scoring was in the 71^st  minute when captain Chidiebere Nwobodo skilfully evaded the onrushing goalkeeper, only to see his shot drift agonizingly wide.

Kun Khalifat nearly stole the win late on as substitute Ahmed Yahaya unleashed a powerful free kick bound for the top corner, but Rangers’ goalkeeper George Abine produced a brilliant save to keep the scores level.

Rangers will now shift focus to their next fixture — a Match Day 2 clash away to Warri Wolves in Ozoro, Delta State, on Sunday, August 31 Warri Wolves come into the encounter on the back of an away win in Katsina.

Rangers’ head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has stated that the Flying Antelopes lost to Enyimba in the Oriental derby because of their poor first half  display which saw them concede two goals.

They did reduced the goals arrears in the second half through Chiedozie Okorie but it was too little, too late as the  People’s Elephant snatched the maximum points at the Cathedral in the Matchday 35 NPFL encounter to move to 52 points.

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“It was not the result we wanted, but football showed itself again today. We had a bad first half where we let in two goals but came back stronger in the second stanza, got a goal back but failed to convert more chances that were created. It’s a painful loss, and we grieve over the loss,” were the words of Ilechukwu during the post match interview.

Rangers are now 8^th  in the log with 49 points and must now shift focus to the prestigious President Federation Cup, where a quarter-final clash against Plateau United awaits the team this weekend in Abuja.

The defeat against Enyimba was Rangers sixth home loss including losses to Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes, Shooting Stars, Heartland FC and Plateau United.

Rangers’ head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu is thrilled over  Flying Antelopes’ maximum points against Remo Stars in  last weekend NPFL Matchday 24 tie.

Ilechukwu secured a sweet revenge against  his friend , Daniel Ogunmodede, after guiding Enugu Rangers to a 2-1 victory over league leaders at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The weekend’s marquee matchup had a backstory dating back to their first encounter this season, a 2-1 Remo Stars victory that ignited a war of words between the two coaches. 

The result infuriated Ilechukwu, who accused Ogunmodede of resorting to every tactic imaginable, including unsportsmanlike behaviour and a win-at-all-costs mentality, to secure three points.

This contentious first match set the stage for their second encounter. While Rangers sought revenge for what they deemed a controversial loss in Ikenne, Remo aimed to complete a league double over the NPFL champions. However, it was Rangers who ultimately prevailed.

Isaac Saviour’s stunning free-kick from over 25 yards gave Rangers the lead in the 30th minute, sending the Flying Antelopes faithful at the Cathedral into raptures. They extended their lead just four minutes after the restart through Kingsley Maduforo.

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Remo Stars pulled one back in the 89^th  minute through Sikiru Alimi but it was only a consolatory goal as Rangers held on for the maximum points. 

 “We are happy with the three points. I knew it was going to be a tough game against the league leaders, the best team in Nigeria presently so beating them and breaking their unbeaten run, beating my friend, the assistant coach of the Super Eagles is a big deal,” Ilechukwu told the press after the game.

“We know ourselves already, I told them how important the game was. Remo Stars were on 48 points and we were on 35 points before the game. I told the players that winning this game will help us prove to ourselves not to anybody that we can survive despite our injuries.”

Although they fell short, Remo Stars put in a five-star performance against the defending champions with Ogunmodede commending the Flying Antelopes for battling so hard to protect their lead.

 “It was a good game, I’m happy we were able to give the spectators a good reason for coming to watch the match. It lived up to expectations. Rangers had to fight for their lives. They are the current champions and for you to displace a champion, you have to come in a very big way,” Ogunmodede told the press after the game.

 “I salute their courage, they worked so hard like a relegation-battling team,” he joked. “Every other situation that happens on the field is a normal thing in football. We had our fair chances and we didn’t take them, they got their chances and took them which gave them a lot of confidence and helped them secure the game.”

This victory propels the Flying Antelopes into third place, overtaking Rivers United and leaving them 10 points behind league leaders Remo Stars in the increasingly fierce battle for the 2024/25 NPFL title.

Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has expressed his delight at securing the maximum points at home to Abia Warriors in the latest Oriental Derby played in Enugu last weekend.

Kazeem Ogunleye’s thunderbolt of a free-kick from over 25 yards in 59 minute earned the reigning NPFL champions the full marks in a Matchday 5, 2024/2025 NPFL fixture inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

In his post-match presser, Ilechukwu said he was happy his boys stepped up their game against a tough side and a top coach.

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 “It was a big game and our performance today showed that our team has started coming up. I know that Abia Warriors prepared very well for this game and I am happy we won the match,” an elated Ilechukwu said. “Imama Amapakabo is a top coach with a good mentality, and this we saw today in his team’s play, but we had our gameplay, and it worked very well, though we could have scored a couple of more goals. We need to build on this win going forward.”

Rangers’ with the win now have 10 points from five matches and will next play Sunshine Stars in a Matchday 6 fixture at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Rangers International FC head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu , has urged his wards to build on their first away victory of the season in Lagos  against Ikorodu City in the bid  to successfully defend their  Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title .

Chinemerem Ugwueze’s 25^th  minute goal was enough to hand the Flying Antelopes their first win of the season after their listless goalless draw at home to El Kanemi Warriors.

Ilechukwu admitted  it was a hard fought win against the NPFL newcomers , adding the victory was timely after  their elimination in the CAF Champions League and a morale booster ahead of their weekend game with Remo Stars in Ikenne.

“I am happy. It was a good game. My boys showed quality and they showed a lot of energy because we played against a young side,” Ilechukwu told the club’s media. “We are trying to come out of the danger we faced in Angola. We are yet to get ourselves because the anxiety, pressure and the failure of not qualifying for the next round will take some time to heal. We shall build on this.

“We want to ensure our players are psyched up ahead of the game with Remo Stars. They are the best team in Nigeria presently and it is going to be very difficult even though we are very positive in all that we do.”

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Meanwhile, Ugwueze said he was unable to contain his excitement after the goal even as he  beseeched his  teammates to work towards getting more away wins to actualise their aim of retaining  the league title.

He said: “I feel excited. It was an important goal for the club and also it earned us the maximum three points. I think from all we are moving forward. The three points will go a long way to boost our morale ahead of our game with Remo Stars this weekend.”

“They are a good side. They are young side and also very energetic with lots of strength. It wasn’t an easy win for us. Considering the fact that they just came from the second division, they were able to put up a good fight against the reigning league champions.

“They are a good side and it is just a matter of time before they get their bearing. If we are going to defend the title we won last season again, we need to get as many away points as possible. We hope to get more away win and consolidate at home.”

In the second game played yesterday in Aba, Enyimba pipped Lobi Stars 2-1 with all three goals coming in the first half.

Chinedu Ufere shot the People’s Elephant ahead in the 13^th  minute before Eze Ekwutoziam doubled the lead just three minutes later. The Pride of Benue halved the deficit through Waheed Adebayo’s 36th minute strike.

But there was no further goal in the second half despite several anxious moments created by the visitors as Enyimba moved to six points from two games.

Enugu Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has urged  his players not to dwell too much on their win over Abia Warriors with a blockbuster tie against Rivers United awaiting them this weekend.

The Flying Antelope pipped Abia Warriors 3-2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium to maintain their lead on the table with 54 points from 30 games, three points ahead of second placed Enyimba.

The former Heartland FC boss who thumbed up the resilience of his players further said he would work on the lapses notice in the game against Abia Warriors.

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”It was a good game going by the result as the 3 points matter a lot this time of the season but we made a lot of errors and could have buried the game in the first half,” Ikechukwu said.

”We shall keep working on the noticed lapses to make necessary corrections before our next fixtures.

”We remain positive going into the weekend’s encounter “, he said.

The 2016 champion will face Rivers United this weekend in a matchday 31 game.