The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RANGERS

  • Rangers will leave Ibadan empty handed – Ojukwu

    Rangers will leave Ibadan empty handed – Ojukwu

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) forward, Ifegwu Ojukwu has said top-flight leaders, Enugu Rangers are merely coming for sightseeing to Ibadan.

    The Oluyole Warriors are hosts of the Flying Antelopes in today’s Nigerian top-flight matchday 35 clash at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

    Ojukwu said his side are mindful of the existing rivalries between the two traditional sides but will come up with their best performance to edge the Coal City side for the three points at stake.

    “Of course, Enugu Rangers are merely coming to Ibadan for sightseeing as we are damn ready to turn them back empty-handed in the NPFL clash on Saturday.

    “Past matches between the two sides have always been tough tomorrow’s (Saturday) encounter will not be anything different.

    “Rangers are league leaders and will want to claim the whole three points or point to further boost their chances of winning the league crown but we will not allow them the luxury.

    “We need the points more than Rangers to further secure our comfort on the league log.

    “Any attempt on our part to drop points in the encounter will certainly spell doom for us.So Rangers will certainly try their luck in the clash but we will turn them back empty-handed.

    “Of course, I hope to score to up my goal tally but the key for us in the crucial match is the whole three points at stake,” said the former Ikorodu United marksman to supersport.com.

    The Ibadan landlords are 14th on the Nigerian top-flight log on 41 points 13 behind leaders, Enugu Rangers.

     

  • Rangers, a team we know well, says 3SC’s Ajani

    Rangers, a team we know well, says 3SC’s Ajani

    Shooting Stars winger Ibrahim Ajani believes his side’s knowledge of Enugu Rangers will help them overcome the league leaders in their Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day 35 fixture at the weekend at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

    “It is easy to lose to a team you don’t know, than to a team you know very well. Rangers are a team we know so well, we know how they play, so whatever strategy they bring, we will play it down,” Ajani told Goal.

    “Our major concern is how to make them not to fly past us and that means beating them in front of our supportive fans. They are the leaders of the table and also they want to win the title. But that doesn’t concern us, what matters is our own ambition which is to survive,” he concluded.

    The Oluyole Warriors are 14th position on the table, and a win will brighten their chances of staying in the top tier division at the end of the campaign.

  • 3SC VS RANGERS: it’s fight to the finish – Fabiyi

    3SC VS RANGERS: it’s fight to the finish – Fabiyi

    Shooting Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Fabiyi will give everything to upset league leaders Rangers in Ibadan on Saturday so as to stay clear of relegation.

    Rangers are top of the table with 54 points from 32 matches, while 3SC are 14th on the table with 41 points, just three points outside the relegation bracket.

    Benin Republic international goalkeeper Fabiyi said 3SC were not happy with their position and so they would go all out to beat Rangers.

    “It is going to be a tough game,” declared Fabiyi.

    “We have been preparing for the game since the first leg in Enugu because we know the fight is not yet over. Now our position on the league table is not comfortable we need all the points in this game.

    “It’s going to be a football war, a do-or-die game for us.”

  • ‘Why Rangers are flying again’

    ‘Why Rangers are flying again’

    Enugu State sports commissioner Charles Ndukwe has said it is a collective effort that has taken Enugu Rangers to within four games from being crowned Nigeria champions after going without a trophy for 32 years.

    Rangers are top of the league table on 54 points from 32 matches, a point ahead of closest rivals Rivers United.

    “Rangers position on the table is not accidental. It has been a collective effort of the entire people of Enugu State,” said a proud Ndukwe.

    “Before the start of the season, I called the management board and I spoke with the coach about how we could end the many years of not winning a trophy. We got a conducive camp for the players, which is completely far away from loved ones to allow the players to concentrate more on the task at hand.

    “We increased the salaries of some of the players and got a new team bus as well as an official car for the coach.

    “We also fixed the stadium so that the fans will be safe for our home games. We also encouraged the players by giving an award to the best player every month. And now we are already working on how we will play international football next year.”

  • Rangers outclass Rivers Utd to go top

    Rangers outclass Rivers Utd to go top

    Enugu Rangers produced a devastating display of attacking football to outclass Rivers United 4-0 to go top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.

    An even first half came to life in the 40th minute when Tope Olusesi put the hosts in front following an exhilarating move that carved the United backline open, leaving the hapless Abiodun Akande badly exposed in goal.

    Godwin Aguda doubled Rangers’ lead almost straight from the restart before Christian Madu and Obinna Nwobodo rounded off the scoring for the Flying Antelopes with late goals to condemn Rivers United to the worst defeat in their history at a frenzied Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

    The big news from the Rivers United camp before kick-off was that Obomate Frederick had failed to recover from an injury he sustained in the club’s last NPFL game against Plateau United and as such would miss the big game at the ‘Cathedral’.

    Akande was also preferred in goal by the technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma ahead of veteran, Sunday Rotimi.

  • Title chasers Rangers, Rivers Utd in titanic clash

    Title chasers Rangers, Rivers Utd in titanic clash

    TODAY’S clash between title chasers Rangers and Rivers United in Enugu promises to be one of the biggest of this season as both teams stay in strong contention for championship.

    Rangers are second on the table with 54 points, same as leaders Wikki Tourists, while Rivers are third having recorded 53 points.

    Rivers United overcame a massive injury crisis to win the reverse fixture 3-1 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt on May 1.

    On that dramatic day, Christian Weli scored a contender for Goal of the Season that day, a fierce, dipping and swerving effort from 35 yards, while Bernard Ovoke underlined his status as a man for the big occasion with a well taken brace with Gabriel Olalekan’s unfortunate own goal, early in the second half represented the Flying Antelopes’ consolation.

  • We beat Rangers hands down, says Dogo

    We beat Rangers hands down, says Dogo

    Nasarawa United technical adviser, Kabiru Dogo has said that the best team won the week 33 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter between his side and Rangers International on Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

    A 63rd minute goal by Phillip Azango gave the Solid Miners  three points in the game but Rangers Team Manager Ameobi Ezeaku alleged that the Flying Antelopes scored good goals that were disallowed.

    In a telephone conversation with SportingLife, Dogo said Ezeaku was talking out of contest. He said Rangers team manager Imama Amakapabor congratulated his team after the match.

    Dogo said they are not losing focus as he beleives that his side is still in contention for a continental ticket.

    “”As far as I am concerned, the match started and ended well. The best team won the match and there is no controversy about that. We played well and we got our chances and we scored. Their team manager was talking from a far distance because the head coach Imama congratulated my team after the match. The goal he was talking about, their players didn’t react to it when it was disallowed by the referee, so why is he now complaining after the game. I am surprised that he is behaving in such manner. We lost our first league game at home here in Makurdi and we didn’t complain. Rangers have picked up points away too and nobody complained. They should play their game and stop  complaining. We are very focused and we are on course for  a continental ticket,” Dogo told SportingLife.

  • Rangers back on top after holding champions Enyimba

    Rangers back on top after holding champions Enyimba

    Rangers are back on top of the Nigeria league table after they forced a 1-1 draw in the ‘Oriental Derby’ against champions Enyimba.

    Rangers are now top of the table with 48 points from 28 matches, a point ahead of Wikki Tourists, who lost their leadership after they lost 3-0 at Akwa United, also on Sunday.

    Striker Stephen Chukwude gave Enyimba the lead in the 45th minute when he fired home a low, left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Itodo Akor off an assist by Joseph Osadiaye.

    However, moments later Rangers restored parity through Godwin Aguda with a cut-back from Bobby Clement.

    In other matches, Lobi hammered Warri Wolves 3-0, Plateau upstaged hosts MFM 1-0 and Niger Tornadoes stopped Abia Warriors 2-1.

    IfeanyiUbah extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches after they defeated Kano Pillars 2-1, while the match between Rivers United and Ikorodu United was shifted after the Port Harcourt club were involved in a road accident.

  • Rangers out to widen gap at the top

    Rangers out to widen gap at the top

    Enugu Rangers central attacker Edoh Ocheme says his side want to widen the gap at the summit in the on-going Nigerian top-flight.

    The Flying Antelopes are at the summit of the 19-team Nigerian top-flight on 46 points, two above their closest challengers Wikki Tourists.

    The Coal City side will welcome Lobi Stars to its abode, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, for Saturday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 28 clash.

    The six-time Nigerian champions were beaten 1-3 at the Pride of Benue in the first fixture clash at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

    Ocheme said his side will aim to achieve their dream of winning the league shield for the first time in 32 years.

    “We are the marked team right now in the league and every other team sees us as the one to be pulled down, but we have resolved to up our game and spill blood if needs be to sustain the top spot until we are crowned champions at the end of the season. Effectively, we have vowed not to lose any match on the calendar starting with the clash against Lobi Stars on Saturday in Enugu.

    “It’s outright victory or nothing against Lobi Stars, more so as they have taken their fair share of the points in the first fixture clash in Makurdi. Besides, I think we need the points right now to sustain our position at the summit.

    “We do not expect the clash to be a walk-over; Lobi Stars will surely fight to make it a double, but we have steeled ourselves, worked hard and are not in the mood to share or lose points. For us it’s victory all the way until we successfully mount the podium to celebrate the league title victory,” said the former Giwa FC marksman to supersport.com.

  • Rangers boss promises ‘surprise package’

    Rangers boss promises ‘surprise package’

    Rangers general manager, Ozor Paul Chibuzor has promised a “surprise package” for the team to fire them past Nigeria league leaders, Wikki on Sunday in Bauchi.

    “I have a package for them when we get there. I will give them the big package in the dressing room in Bauchi,” he informed AfricanFootball.com.

    “We will continue to motivate the team and by his grace bring the league trophy back to Enugu. We want to make them happy so that they will deliver,” he said.

    On Tuesday, the Enugu State Governor presented The Flying Antelope  a brand-new coaster bus and car.

    “I feel very great as it has been a long time we have anticipated these gifts. This will make us very happy going to the match in Bauchi,” said Chibuzor.