The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Odita

  • Odita wants teammates to redouble efforts against Nasarawa

    Odita wants teammates to redouble efforts against Nasarawa

    Enugu Rangers captain, Okey Odita has challenged his team mates to redouble their efforts to ensure  they don’t come up with such unimpressive display they had last weekend against FC IfeanyiUbah in a NPFL Match Day 32 tie which ended 2-0 against them.

    The Flying Antelopes surrendered their leadership of the league last weekend after their listless performance  in Nnewi but Odita in a chat with SportingLife expressed that they must put behind them their loss against the Anambra Warriors and channel their preparation towards posting a commendable outing against Nasarawa United on Sunday in Makurdi.

    He said with less than 10 matches to the end of the season, getting points both home and away would become difficult and they must be willing to put their bodies on the line in their attempt to ensure that Rangers end their 32 years wait for another league title.

    “We were not happy at all with our performance against FC IfeanyiUbah and we have vowed to correct the mistakes against Nasarawa United. It won’t be easy but we must be at our best to make that possible. The season is almost over and all clubs are desperate to get points on the road and in home matches,” Odita told SportingLife.

  • Odita predicts Lobi, MFM will drop

    Odita predicts Lobi, MFM will drop

    Lobi Stars and newly promoted MFM FC lead the rest of the pack in the Nigeria Professional Football League after four matches but Enugu Rangers skipper, Okey Odita says the traditional teams will soon reclaim their positions at the top of the log.

    MFM FC are enjoying a fairy tale run in their debut season; dropping points only against Shooting Stars in a 3-0 defeat. The Lagos-based club responded with a 2-1 win against Sunshine Stars but Odita isn’t convinced with the credentials of the early risers.

    Defending champions, Enyimba are 16th on the table but have two games outstanding because of their Champions League campaign and Odita is backing them to climb steadily up the table.

  • Odita seeks end to Rangers’ title drought

    Odita seeks end to Rangers’ title drought

    Rangers Captain, Okey Odita is confident the Enugu side can end their title drought  in the 2016 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    Odita told npfl.ng, after his side’s 2-1 win at home to Niger Tornadoes, that, the focus of the six time league champions in the current campaign will be on the league title, which they last won in 1984.

    “It has been more than three decades since we last won the league. We have waited so long; I have a strong feeling that this is our season. We have started on a bright note, winning two of our three games. We narrowly lost out on the first game of the season away to Kano Pillars. It was a sad experience, but we are determined to put everything in place to ensure that it does not repeat itself.

    “Rangers are a club with magnificent history and reputation, and we will capitalise on these to win the title this season. Part of the challenge has always been starting the season on a poor note, but we will overturn that this season”, Odita remarked.

    “Our squad is formidable this season, and we can pick up points anywhere. We will approach the game on Wednesday with full concentration and the focus will be to depart Warri on a positive note”, Odita further told npfl.ng.

  • Odita: Rangers management not our problem

    Odita: Rangers management not our problem

    Enugu Rangers’ captain, Okechukwu Odita has absolved the management of the Flying Antelopes from the club’s present travails on the league table and charged both the supporters and other lovers of the club from engaging in any act that could jeopardise the progress of the Enugu side.

    The Flying Antelopes‘ results have not been impressive since their ouster from the Federation Cup at the semi-final stage and Odita told SportingLife that the players were still suffering from the hangover of their loss to Lobi Stars in Katsina and that it has nothing to do with the club management.

    He said the supporters club that marched to the Government House in Enugu and also to the Enugu House of Assembly during one of their sittings demanding for the sack of Rangers’ management acted in ignorance and should not have done so.

    Odita said that the problems affecting the players and the club in general are one that are peculiar with almost all the premier league clubs in the country and that if the Enugu government could solve their financial challenges things would be fine for all.

    He lamented that the players are still being owed about five months salary arrears and the 40 percent of their 2013/2014 season’s signing on fees.

    He also added that the current enhanced salary structure has not been fully implemented to the letter.

    Odita pointed out that everyone in the club should gear their effort towards ensuring that Rangers get back to their best again.

    The former Enyimba defender however noted that the state government should be commended for making their match bonuses available as and when due as they are only being owed two games.