Tag: RANGERS

Enugu Rangers have counselled Heartland FC not to continue holding on to players that have made their stand known that they were ready to move on to seek green pasture elsewhere that it could be counter productive.

The Flying Antelopes’ Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime in an interview hinted that two of their top players: captain, Cyril Oriaku and striker, Christian Obiozor signified their intention to leave for another club and they are now today playing for Dolphins and Kano Pillars respectively.

Chime also noted that the threat by the Naze Millionaires to drag Rangers to a civil court will no doubt make them to incur the wrath of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) advising the club instead to allow players in their domain who have informed them they want to leave, to go, so as to avoid the backlash.

Chime noted that the player in question, Bobby Clement has ceased to be their player since he only joined them on loan due to the arrangement between them and Clement’s agent, Yomi Itshekure who is noted for only negotiating loan deals for players under his stable.

“I don’t know what Heartland are fretting over because the information available to us about Bobby Clement says he moved to Owerri on loan from his agent Yomi Itshekure and he has desired to leave them for another club.

“No one can hold on to a player that has decided to move on. We sold two of our players, Cyril Oriaku who is our captain and Christian Obiozor because they said they wanted to leave. You cannot hold on to a player against his wish.

“Heartland also said they would be taking us to a law court. They know the repercussion if they do that. It is best for them to let sleeping dog lie and focus their attention on getting new players to replace those that have gone,” Chime told SportingLife.

Enugu Rangers have confirmed that Raja Casablanca representatives have contacted them over the acquisition of their striker, Ighodolar Osaguona and that everything about the deal would be finalised today.

Though, the former 3SC of Ibadan attacker had been presented to the media in Morocco the Flying Antelopes have insisted before the new development that they were yet to sanction the Eagles’ player’s move to the North African.

The Media Officer of Rangers, Foster Chime told SportingLife that the Enugu side agreed to Osaguona’s unveiling because the transfer window in Morocco closed last weekend and that Raja wanted him to sign before the end of the transfer but that no agreement was reached over his market value and other issues.

Chime however informed that Raja’s officials have started discussion with their TMS person over Osaguona’s proposed move and that everything should be sorted out today and that it is at the end of this that the  club would sanction the release of the player’s International Transfer Certificate(ITC).

“We were not contacted initially by Raja but we were observing things from close quarters. They have eventually reached us and we are still talking. Our TMS person has been attending to them and we expect a resolution to be made tomorrow (today) before we can officially announce his departure,” Chime told SportingLife.

The management of Rangers FC of Enugu is expected to meet today to deliberate on the club’s activities ahead of the coming season.

The club’s media officer, Foster Chime, who confirmed this to SportingLife, said the management will meet with the club’s consultant Christian Chukwu and the technical director, Innocent Obi-Ekwo, to consider the way forward for the club.

The board will look at the players’ last season’s performnaces and plan for the coming season.

“We are going to plan for the coming season at the meeting. As you are aware, the club has placed 15 players on the transfer market and we are looking at how many players to bring in. Also, League management Company (LMC) is thinking of January and March for league resumption. So, we will look at all of these issues,” Chime told SportingLife.

He also disclosed that the management will refurbish the players’ camp before they resume training.

“We want to give it a new look and make it more conducive for the players. We want to ensure that we provide everything there for them,” Chime said.

Enugu Rangers massacred Lagos non-league club, Royalty FC 11– 2 in a test game at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Tuesday.

Super Eagles ‘B’ international, Christian Obiozor  and winger Marshal Odah both grabbed hat-tricks, while Samuel Agba and substitute Okereke Maduabuchi got two goals each with Bitrus Dada coming from the bench to also put his name on the score sheet.

Obiozor opened the flood gate of goals after a quarter of an hour, when he latched on to a Chisom Egbuchulam sublime cross. He also scored on 35 and 50 minutes.

Odah would have scored more but he wasted several chances after he found the back of the net on 23, 43 and 84 minutes with Agba getting on the score sheet on 25th and 67th minutes.

Substitute, Okereke, scored on 63 and 65 minutes while Dada curled in his own effort on 80 minutes in this one-sided encounter. The amateurs from Lagos had Nwangwu Mike and an Emeka Eze own goal to thank for their two goals.