The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RANGERS

  • Rangers to miss Eze, Daniel for Kwara United tie

    Rangers to miss Eze, Daniel for Kwara United tie

    Enugu Rangers will face Kwara United tomorrow in a Glo Premier League Week 31 tie without two of their players, Emeka Eze and Emmanuel Daniel who are not available for different reasons.

    The Flying Antelopes will be missing Eze who has sustained an injury since Glo Premier League Week 22 tie against Sharks in Port Harcourt and he is yet to recover.

    Daniel, who was the U-23 goalkeeper at the just concluded African Games held in Congo is yet to return to Enugu after he marshalled Nigeria to a bronze medal finish in Brazzaville at the expense of the hosts, Congo whom they beat 5-3 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes.

    Meanwhile, Rangers will welcome back skipper, Okey Odita for the game with the Harmony Warriors after the defender served a game suspension in their last away tie against Nasarawa United in Lafia.

    Rangers are 12th on the log with 40 points from 30 matches and are up against Kwara United who are also desperate for points to escape the relegation zone.

  • Rangers win test game 4-2

    Rangers win test game 4-2

    Enugu Rangers have thrashed non-league side and 2013 National Shell Cup champions Purple Krown College 4-2 in a friendly ahead of this weekend’s league cracker against Kwara United.

    But Rangers had to come from behind to earn this win as their opponents, who are Enugu State league champions, drew the first blood after half an hour.

    Michael Ogbodo latched on to a defence-splitting pass from Igweke Michael to dribble his way past two defenders and find the top of the roof beyond a bewildered Itodo Akor in goal for Rangers.

    But this lead did not last long as Osas Okoro quickly restored parity two minutes later when he fired home from an acute angle cross from Bobby Clement.

    Further goals from Bobby Clement on 55 minutes, Duru Arinze on 76 minutes and Kola Anubi on 85 minutes completely extinguished the fighting power of the school boys, who could only get a goal back with virtually the last kick of the match as Kingsley Kama’s long-range effort sailed past Itodo Akor.

    Coach Imama Amapakabo said after the encounter: “It was a good game and our opponents gave a good account of themselves. The match really served the purpose and we hope to make some corrections before our next league encounter. We expect a tough match from Kwara United but our target remains to earn all points at stake.”

    Proprietor of Purple Krown College, Adewale Alao, said: “We played a very good first half, but when we introduced some new players who are trying to break into the team in the second half, we fell apart.

    “However, I am very impressed with the level of competition displayed by my players as it will greatly help us in our quest to win a ticket to play in the national amateur league next season.”

     

  • Rangers’ supporters lament club’s poor run

    Rangers’ supporters lament club’s poor run

    The fans of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Tuesday expressed worries over the club’s poor performance in the Glo Premier League.

    Speaking separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, the fans called on the players and handlers of the team to improve their game to avoid relegation.

    They said that the club was not living up to their expectations and needed to do better to remain in the country’s top flight league.

    One of the supporters, Izunna Ikwuagwu, said that Rangers had lost their intimidating posture and were paying for it by losing matches at home.

    “If not that I am a fan of the club, I would not have been watching their matches in Enugu because there is no more joy in their game.

    “The managers need to do something to save our darling club from their present poor performance in the league,’’ he said.

    Another supporter, Otu Abam, said that the club had not gone on relegation and needed to maintain the status.

    “From the way things are going, the club may face relegation at the end of the season if they fail to pick points both home and away.

    “Winning one away match and losing four at home this season calls for concern.

    “When I was younger, Rangers won most of their away matches but today they hardly get a draw.

    “To worsen the matter, the club’s poor run has witnessed many home defeats this season. The team is no longer the Flying Antelopes that used to tear clubs apart,” he said.

    In his reaction, the club’s spokesperson, Foster Chime, said that a true follower of Rangers should not be thinking of the club going on relegation.

    “A real supporter or fan should be thinking of the club grabbing one of the continental tickets and not even finishing at the middle of the league, not to talk of relegation.

    “The priority of the management and the players is to see the club doing well and I believe that things will change for good as the Technical Consultant, Christian Chukwu, has talked to the players.

    “Chukwu made the players to understand what it looks like playing away from home and the need to protect the image of the club at all levels,” Chime said.

    He said that the players were happy for the salary arrears of two months paid them and were ready to do better.

    Rangers and Heartland FC of Owerri are the only two football teams that have remained in the top division of the national league.

  • El Kanemi hold Rangers 2-2

    El Kanemi hold Rangers 2-2

    Chinedu Ohanachom was the hero for El Kanemi Warriors when he scored a brace to deny Rangers an away win in a Week 26 game of Nigeria league on Sunday which ended 2-2.

    Rangers started the game like a house on fire and opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Godwin Aguda.

    The hosts got the equaliser through former Taraba striker Chinedu Ohanachom in the 14th minute.

    Coach Imama Amapakabor-led team restored their lead through Enete Chebem in the 17th minute.

    However, Chinedu Ohanachom salvaged a point for El Kanemi when he again hit the target in the 90th minute to end the game in a 2-2 draw.

  • Rangers’ duo confident of victory over El Kanemi

    Rangers’ duo confident of victory over El Kanemi

    • Say over 30 years title drought must end this year

    Enugu Rangers have spoken of their intention to beat El Kanemi Warriors today in Abuja and earn a place in the semi final of the 2015 Federation Cup.

    Rangers are seeking an end to over 30 years of trophy drought and they defeated Kwara United 3-2 in the Round of 16 to get to this stage.

    The head coach of the team, Imama Amapakabo and the General Manager Paul Chibuzor Ozor have told SportingLife that they have a team that could beat El Kanemi Warriors and thus get closer to their aspiration to win the Federation Cup this season.

    Amapakabo praised his boys for the draw secured against Sharks in Port Harcourt but he has challenged the players to put the road point by the side when they face El Kanemi Warriors today in the quarter final of the Federation Cup.

    “We thank God for the draw and we are focused on the next game against El Kanemi Warriors. We won’t be boastful but we are confident of our chances against all our foes be it in the league or in the Federation Cup matches,” Amapakabo told SportingLife.

    The Flying Antelopes’ General Manager, Paul Chibuzor Ozor revealed to SportingLife that Rangers players are in high spirits and that they have assured him that they do all within their powers to beat El Kanemi today.

    Rangers are 10th on the log of the league table with 32 points from 22 games and they are only two wins away from the final of the 2015 Federation Cup.

  • Rangers: Governor Ugwuanyi’s N2m gift didn’t tear us apart

    Rangers: Governor Ugwuanyi’s N2m gift didn’t tear us apart

    The Management of Enugu Rangers have debunked report published in the local media that N2m given to the club by the Governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has torn the team’s Players and officials apart.

    In a press release made available to SportingLife, the Rangers Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime noted that management revealed that what transpired between few backroom staff of the club was the usual friendly misgivings amongst crew that were immediately resolved amicably.

    According to Chime: “It will be foolhardy for an unknown and unnamed source to see what was a friendly action amongst the family crew as negative and management wish to advise such unknown sources to verify their facts with the club management before going to the press with such misinformation and unconfirmed story to the public.”

    The club’s image maker nonetheless told SportingLife that the management of the Flying Antelopes have expressed gratitude and deep appreciation to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his magnanimity and fatherly support to the club since assumption of duty.

    Chime mentioned especially the interactive forum the Governor had with the members of board, management, players and technical crew of the club on Thursday at the Government. House Enugu, where he hosted the team to a dinner and doled out N2m to the team and also made pledge of a coaster bus as well as directive for payment of the five months arrears of salaries owed the players and officials.

  • Shame as Governor’s cash tears Rangers apart

    Shame as Governor’s cash tears Rangers apart

    A two million Naira gift to Rangers by Enugu State Governor has torn the team apart rather than fire them up for Sunday’s derby against Enyimba.

    AfricanFootball.com can report that some officials of the club Friday morning got into a shouting match because they felt short changed, after a training session at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

    According to our ever reliable source who witnessed the show of shame Friday morning, the camp commandant and the kit manager who felt short-changed by the amount they received from the governor’s gift did not hide their emotions as they demanded for what they felt should be paid to them.

    “It was really a shameful act from both club officials. This was supposed to be a gift to motivate the team for the task against Enyimba in Aba, but it now seems to be a curse,” said the source.

    “It got so bad that the technical adviser in trying to settle the rift lost his eye glasses.

    “I just hope this disgrace will not affect the players who have been putting their best in training for the Aba encounter.”

  • Rangers advance to Federation Cup quarterfinal

    Rangers advance to Federation Cup quarterfinal

    Enugu Rangers are through to the quarterfinal of the 2015 Federation Cup after a 3-2 narrow win over Kwara United yesterday in Abuja.

    The Flying Antelopes got the curtain raiser in the 11th minute through Rasaq Adegbite but the Harmony Warriors got their way back with the equaliser in the 26th minute through Evans Yoro as the first half ended 1-1.

    Rangers shot into the lead again, barely a minute after the restart of the second half through Bobby Clement but Kwara United still managed to draw level through Adesina Gata in the 71st minute.

    The Enugu side were not deterred by the firepower of their foes from Ilorin and their unrelenting approach yielded dividends four minutes from full time when Emeka Eze blasted home the third goal.

    There was no sufficient time for Kwara United as Tunde Sanni lost his first game since he became the Harmony Warriors‘ coach after the suspension of Tunde Abdulrahman two weeks ago over poor results.

  • Enyimba beat hosts Rangers in derby

    Enyimba beat hosts Rangers in derby

    Enyimba defeated regional rivals and hosts Rangers 2-1 in ‘The Oriental Derby’ on Sunday in Enugu.

    Enyimba now have 33 points from 19 games, same as leaders Sunshine Stars.

    Obiozor scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after Orji Kalu handled the ball inside the 18-yard box to give Enyimba the lead.

    Godwin Aguda put both teams back at par from the penalty spot in the 78th minute after he was brought down by Emmanuel Anyanwu.

    In the 82nd minute, Andrew Abalogu headed Ezekiel Bassey’s cross into the net from six yards to restore Enyimba’s lead.

    Rangers created more scoring chances and controlled the game for the better part of the encounter, but they could not beat Femi Thomas in the Enyimba goal.

    Rangers got a chance to score in the 14th minute through Razak Adegbite, who hit the side netting off Osas Okoro’s pass.

    In the 21st minute, Adegbite collided with Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas and Aguda’s goal off that move was cancelled due to the infringement.

    Rangers continued their onslaught as Adegbite hit the goal post in the 27th minute after he skipped past Emmanuel Anyanwu.

    In the 31st minute, Rangers goalkeeper Akor Itodo was called to duty as he saved Nzube Anaezemba’s 20-yard volley.

    Four minutes later, Rangers came calling again as Bobby Abel’s effort from 12 yards was held by Femi Thomas.

  • Rangers assures of victory against Enyimba

    Rangers assures of victory against Enyimba

    An official of Rangers International FC of Enugu has predicted a win for his team against Enyimba of Aba in Sunday’s week 19 match of the Glo Premier League in Enugu.

    The club’s spokesman, Foster Chime told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday that the team was looking forward to ending the first stanza with victory against Enyimba, the `People Elephant’ in an Eastern derby.

    “We are going to justify our 3-1 victory over Lobi Stars and the mid-week goalless draw with Bayelsa by defeating Enyimba in Enugu.

    “Our supporters have been solidly behind us all these while and we have no other means of thanking them, than picking up the maximum three points from the match.

    “Sunday’s game is important and the players knows that, so there is no hiding place for the visitors from Aba.

    “As the players have shown that they can do the job from their records so far, we are looking forward to a good and rewarding game,” he said.

    Chime then appealed to the fans to come out en-masse to support the club to victory as most matches were also won from the stand, via massive support by fans.

    “The match will be tough and we are calling on our fans to come out en-masse to support our darling club to victory.

    “We want to pick up one of the continental tickets and we have resolved to do so by effecting some changes in the team.

    “The newly elevated Technical Adviser, Imama Amakapabo needs our support to perform well and to take us to `the promised land’ at the end of the season,” Chime said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers currently has 27 points in 18 matches and occupy seventh position on the 20-team log.