The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rangers international

  • I am open to negotiation declares Amapakabo

    I am open to negotiation declares Amapakabo

     

    Former Rangers Coach Imama Amapakabo is eager to continue his coaching career and has thrown open invitation to any club that may desire his services to come forward for negotiation.

    Amapakabo who led the Flying Antelopes to league title last season fell out with the Coal city side when poor result became a recurring decimal compounded by the team’s ouster from the CAF Champions League and high possibility of equally crashing out from the CAF Confederation Cup playoff against Zesco United of Zambia.

    Rangers played out a 2-2 draw against Zesco at the Cathedral last Sunday thus boxing the team into a corner ahead of the return leg in Ndola on Saturday.

    Although Amapakabo regrets that he is currently out of coaching job, he nonetheless remains optimistic that he would soon land a new job even as he has set a stopper to his job hunt.

    “I have been without a job now for about 20 hours, all I have to say is that I am available and any club ready to negotiate and meet my terms is welcome,” he said

    Soccer fans in the country however remain divided over the sacking of the coach by Rangers management.

    while some see it as the right step, in view of strings of poor results, others say Rangers problem go beyond coaching insisting that the club requires maximum support from the state government if it is to return to winning ways and even make an impact on the continent.

    Rangers currently occupy the bottom of the log with 13 points in 14 matches, and many say the team will need to double effort to pull out of the relegation zone. With the parting of ways, Rangers management will be hoping that whoever steps into Amapakabo’s shoes can turn the table within a short time.

  • Daniel Bennett to handle Zamalek vs Rangers showdown

    Daniel Bennett to handle Zamalek vs Rangers showdown

     

     

     

    South African Referee Daniel Bennett will be at the Centre when Rangers international tackle Zamalek of Egypt in the round of 32 CAF Champions league first leg clash on Sunday.

    The 41 year old who was twice voted Professional Soccer League (PSL) referee of the year has been an international referee since 2003.

    Meanwhile Rangers international will have to dig deep if they are to earn away point in Egypt following a charge on Zamalek by their fans to consolidate on their achievement in the Egyptian Super Cup.  . Zamalek who are five time winners of the CAF Champions league defeated bitter rivals Al-Ahly 3-1 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) capital of Abu Dhabi to lift the prestigious Egyptian Super Cup last month, the third time they will be claiming the trophy.

    It was more than mere victory for Zamalek as it would be the first time they would be defeating Al-Ahly in the Super Cup final. Zamalek had been beaten to the trophy by Al-Ahly in 2003, 2008, 2014, and 2015, and finally turning the table is considered a big achievement that must be consolidated upon.  Zamalek fans reportedly have challenged the Coach Mohamed Helmy tutored team to re-enact the performance as they face Rangers international on Sunday. The flying Antelopes who flew into Egypt on Thursday ahead of the clash will unfortunately be missing the services of Eagles ace Daniel Etim who is bereaved and Ocheme Odoh who is still recovering from injury.

    Coach Imama Amapakabo will however be banking on Bobby Clement who got the vital away goal that fired Rangers to this stage at the expense of JS Saoura of Algeria.

    Amapakabo believes it is one match in which they have to fight to the finish.

    ” A lot depends on the first leg we have to get a favorable result and then go home and concentrate on qualifying for the next stage,” he said

  • Gallant Rangers draw with JS Saoura in Algiers

    Gallant Rangers draw with JS Saoura in Algiers

     

     

    CAF champions league campaigners Rangers international were in superlative form Friday, as they forced their Algerian counterparts JS Saoura to a 1-1 draw in Algiers.

    The Flying Antelopes  who some say have been struggling  in the local league after  winning the title last season approached the match with vigor contesting every ball and displaying all the seriousness of a side determined to go far in the continental showpiece.

    Algerians shot into the lead in the 32nd minute of the match but the Imama Amakapabo tutored side responded just seven minutes later thanks to Bobby Clement who to put score line at 1-1.

    To show that they have not come to Algiers for a tea party serious minded Rangers almost got the second goal in the 42nd minute when Bobby Clément’s goal bound shot was blocked.

    As the intensity of the match increased Chiamaka Madu was thrown in place of Godwin Aguda while Daniel Etor was also unleashed in place of Osas Okoro.

    Enterprising Bobby Clement was finally pulled out for in the 88th minute for Ocheme Edoh.

    Ocheme apparently properly schooled before coming in fired a shot that almost resulted in a goal just few minutes to the end of the match.

    JS Saoura players were left surprised after the final whistle time.

    The result puts Rangers in a vintage position ahead of the return leg billed for the Cathedral in a fortnight.

    Fans of the Flying Antelopes who monitored the match did not hesitate to appreciate the away results achieved by the side, as many immediately took to the social media to congratulate the team for rising to the occasion

  • Akpokona cautions Rangers over JS Saoura clash

    Akpokona cautions Rangers over JS Saoura clash

     

     

     

    Ahead of their CAF Champions League first leg clash, Rangers international have been told to avoid loss of concentration  as the Algerians will be desperate to win at home.

    Former Coach of the side Lawrence Akpokona who made the submission in a chat with the Sunday Nation, maintained that the Flying Antelopes must push events of last season and poor start of the new season to the back seat and fight to finish to the finish make a mark on the continent.

    He noted that by emerging champions of the Nigerian league, Rangers have indirectly declare that they are a hard nut to crack and as such every opponent whether at home on the continent will want to battle them to a standstill.

    “My advice to Rangers is to ensure maximum concentration against JSS.  The match in Algeria will definitely not be easy because the Algerians will want to win at home. Concentration here is not for about 45 minutes or so but for the entire duration of the match that is the only way they can get a reasonable result and then return home to consolidate,” he said

    On the team’s poor start in the new season after five matches in the season, the former Bendel Insurance and Crown of Ogbomosho sweat merchant said there is no cause for alarm as it is too early in the day to draw conclusion

    “Some seasons are like that, you could have a slow start but gradually pick up as the league progresses so they are still on course,” he added

    The club’s new General Manager and former captain Christian Chukwu admitted that the battle of Algiers  will not be easy but added that the Coal City boys will put up a good fight with a view to getting favorable result.

    The first leg of the encounter will take place between the 10th and 12 February while the return leg has been scheduled between 17 and 19th February.

  • Rangers seek fans understanding after poor start

    Rangers seek fans understanding after poor start

    The management of Rangers International of Enugu has solicited for their fans’ patience, love and understanding on some of their unsatisfactory home results recorded so far in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

     

    The management expressed gratitude and appreciation to the supporters for their consistent support and loyalty since the commencements of the new season.

     

    The flying Antelopes have won one home match, lost one and drawn one while drawing two away matches out of five played so far.

     

    In a release sent to SportingLife by the club’s media officer, Foster Chime, the club pleaded with fans and supporters not to force unnecessary home pressures on the players and the technical crew, but rather, they should be ever ready and consistent in their support to the team.

     

    “As the league defending champions every other club in the NPFL would always put in extra determination, fund and morale boost to confront Rangers, but as the never say Die “Trojans, the spirit will always be the team’s watch word and guiding spirit that will surely spur the team to excel at the end of the day,” Chime said in a release.

     

    “We however assuring fans of the positive, consistent support and financial assistance of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to ensure the club bounced back to winning ways especially with the first leg of the CAFF Champions League approaches.

     

    “The Technical Adviser and his assistants are seriously working on the lapses noted during matches, relating to utilizing created chances which has been a major Challenge. The management is very worried with the dearth of goals scoring by the players in some of the matches but we also very optimistic that with the coming on board of players like Chisom Egbuchulam, Odoh Onoriode Ugwu Uwadiegwu and likely lfeanyi Ifeanyi and few others to fortify the squad, definitely the Rangers attack will be ambitious and lethal.”

  • LMC fines Rangers for disorderly conduct of Supporters

    · Lobi, Tornadoes sanctioned for breach of Jersey Codes

    Rangers International, Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes have been issued summary jurisdiction notices by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches they committed in the course of Match Day 1 of the Nigeria Football Professional League (NPFL) 2016/17 season concluded over the weekend.

    It was Rangers that got cited for more serious breaches which include Rules B13.52, B13.18 and C1.1 which attracted a cumulative fine of N2.750milliom.

    In the first charge for breach of Rule B13.52, the league champions were accused of not ensuring restriction of access to unauthorized persons to all restricted areas in the course of their fixture against Abia Warriors.

    “In the course of your Match Day 1 fixture: Rangers International vs. Abia Warriors, you failed to ensurerestriction of access by unauthorized persons from all restricted areas in the course of the match, when two (2) men gained access to the corridor of the Referees’ changing room in an attempt to intimidate and or harass the Referees; and they further gained access to the State Box to harass officials of the visiting team”, read charge signed by Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer.

    In count two, the LMC charged Rangers with breach of Rule 13.18 citing the encroachment on the field of play and throwing of objects towards the field of play by the club’s supporters.

    On the third count, Rangers was charged with breach of Rule C1.1, punishable by Rule B15.16 for their supporters’ conduct which was deemed capable of bringing the League to disrepute. This conduct the charge read, “included their attempt to assault match officials and hauling stones and other missiles at the match officials while they were being escorted off the field of play by security personnel, in the process of which the Match Commissioner and a security operative were injured by missiles thrown”.

    The Enugu State Police Command had in the aftermath of the incident admonished Supporters of Rangers International to refrain from taking laws into their hands no matter how aggrieved they could be over the outcome of a football match. The command’s spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu further warned that the Police would not tolerate abuse of the laws of the land by club supporters.

    Lobi Stars were charged for failing to have the surname of their players written at the back of their jerseys during their match against Shooting Stars in breach of Rule B9.7 and punishable under Rule B9.12, of the Framework and Rules of the NPFL, in that on Sunday. The Club was fined N100, 000.

    On their part, Niger Tornadoes was charged for having the design and lettering of shirt names and numbers of their players that did not meet the prescribed standard and which did not meet the approval of the league. Tornadoes are to pay N100, 000 for this breach.

    All the clubs have a deadline of close of business on Thursday to respond in writing indicating acceptance of the sanctions or electing to appeal..

  • New league Season: Soccer fans canvass better transfer format

    New league Season: Soccer fans canvass better transfer format

    Ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League new season which kicks off Saturday, the league management body and the clubs have been told to make players’ transfer more open in line with known practice in other leagues. A cross section of soccer fans who spoke to the Nation ahead of the new season observed that players are always reported to have joined a new club without a mention of how much was paid for such transfers.
    “Even in lower leagues in Europe you hear the transfer fees paid for such players but here you only here about a player joining another club on free transfer only for the club and the players to begin to quarrel later over fees. If we want our league to compete with other known leagues we have to do things the right way,” they submitted.
    Meanwhile all is set for the charity cup clash between league champions Rangers international and Federation cup champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah Wednesday at the Abuja National stadium. The two clubs who will be flying the Nation’s flag in the CAF Champions league and CAF Confederation Cup respectively open their new season campaign on Sunday with Rangers pitched against Abia Warriors in a derby while FC Ifeanyi Ubah open shop with Kano Pillars. The flying Antelopes have already made a clarion call to their fans to turn out in large numbers in their opening match against visiting Abia Warriors urging them to wear “Red and white to the Cathedral”

  • Rangers get Algerian opponent in CAF Champions League

    … Rivers Utd to tackle Mali’s Real Bamako

    Nigeria’s CAF Champions league campaigners Rangers International and Rivers United will begin their chase for the continental title against JS Saoura of Algeria and As Real Bamako of Mali respectively. The two premier league sides that finished as champions and runners up of the Nigerian professional Football League came face to face with their opponents Wednesday at the draws held in Cairo Egypt.
    Incidentally both teams will play their first leg which holds between 10th to 12th February away before hosting the second legs scheduled for 17th to 19th February respectively. Coach of both teams Imama Amapakabo and Stanley Eguma have expressed confidence that their teams will put up a good fight in the continental show of supremacy.
    In the confederation Cup Ifeanyi Ubah will tackle Al-Masry SC of Egypt while the Wikki Tourist faces RSLAF of Siera Leone. The first leg like the champions league, will hold between 10th-12th of February with the 2nd leg billed for 17th -19th February respectively.
    But unlike the Champions League where the Nigeria flag bearers will first play away, only Ifeanyi Ubah will first play at home. Wikki Tourist will face RSLAF away first before hosting their opponents in Bauchi in the second leg of the preliminary stages.
    The Nigerian ambassadors in the Champions league will not only be competing among the bests in the continent but will stand a chance of carting away the improved largesse that will now see the winner walk away with $2.5 million about (N788 million) and $1.25 million about N394 million for the runners up.

  • 2013/14 SEASON: Rangers beef up technical crew

    2013/14 SEASON: Rangers beef up technical crew

    Rangers international have announced the appointment of US based Osmond Ogali as assistant coach, even as they intensify thier off and on pitch preparations ahead of the new season kick off.

    “We have a new coach in Osmond Ogali. ” the side dished out on their twitter handle @EnuguRangersFC

    Incidentally, Ogali is coming on board just few days after the Flying Antelopes resumed their romance with former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu as Technical Consultant.

    The Coal City boys finished the 2012/13 Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) season on the fifth position with 58 points, and believe the wealth of experience of Chairman, Chukwu who had earlier held the same position at Heartland, for two seasons, during which the Owerri-based outfit recorded back-to-back success in the Federation Cup will come handy in the new season.

    Prior to re-engaging coach Christian Chukwu the Enugu based side had equally engaged the services of former under 20 coach John Obuh following the resignation of Okey Emordi at the end of the season.

    Sportinglife gathered that Ogbu personally recommended the engagement of Ogali who aside from having impressive coaching certificates, has also coached a number of youth teams in the USA.

    Some say with a technical bench made up of Christian Chukwu, John Ogbu, Osmond Ogali, Kingsley Obiekwu, John Edeh and Victor Okoh, the Flying Antelopes appear set to give contending teams a run for their money and skill when the new season begins.