The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RANGERS

  • Rangers meet with governor over new coach

    Rangers meet with governor over new coach

    Rangers top officials led by Christian Chukwu met with Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to decide on a new coach for the NPFL champions.

    Rangers spokesman Foster Chime told SCORENigeria that the meeting was called at the instance of the club management.

    Last week, Enugu sports commissioner Charles Ndukwe announced that coach Imama Amapakabo was only suspended and not sacked because Rangers chief executive Chukwu does not have the power to do so.

    Coach Chukwuma Agbo led the team to a CAF Confederation Cup clash at Zesco United of Zambia.

    Former Rangers star Sylvanus Okpala was reportedly given an appointment letter by the club management to replace Imama.

    In the meantime, Rangers NPFL fixture at Gombe United has been rescheduled until further notice, according to club officials.

    The match was to have been played today.

    But officials have formally complained to the LMC that Rangers are suffering from a long list of injuries as a result of their international engagements.

  • Amapakabo confirms sack by email

    Amapakabo confirms sack by email

    • Thanks God for journey so far

    Coach Imama Amapakabo who narrowly missed being manhandled by some fans following Rangers 2-2 draw with Zesco United on

    Sunday, has confirmed receiving termination of his contract by Rangers international by email

    Amakapabo who left his foot print on the sand of history by leading the Flying Antelopes to clinch the Nigerian Premier league title for the first time in 32 years did not only confirm his sack but also thanked God for the journey so far.

    “Its official, I received a termination of my contract with Rangers international football club  by email by 5.35pm.  Thank you lord for everything,” he submitted vide his twitter handle @amapakabo.

    Rangers who crashed out the CAF Champions league forcing a play-off in the Confederation Cup, played out a 2-2 draw with the visiting Zambians in the first leg, a result which makes it very dicey for the Coal City side to turn the table int he return leg billed for Ndola later in the week.

    Amapakabo’s  confirmation generated chains of reaction on social media as of those who believe in him insisted that he should not have been sacked while others prayed and assured him that better things are sure to come his way in future.

    One of the fans who responded to the confirmation Sleen Vique said, “Thank you for all the memories coach, I started loving and following Rangers because of you. God bless you real good,” Another reaction came from Alexander Ezeanyi who said Rangers have made a big mistake, Imama can’t be the problem why Rangers  have  not  been winning matches , adding “Oga  you have made history,”

    Amapakabo signed a two-year contract with the Flying Antelopes last season, but went through about a year of the contract. His assistant Chukwuma Agbo will take charge of the team in an interim capacity until a new head coach is appointed.

  • Rangers risk Confed Cup exit

    Rangers risk Confed Cup exit

    •Hold Zesco 2-2

    Nigeria champions Enugu Rangers risk elimination from this year’s CAF Confederation Cup after they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with visiting Zesco United of Zambia at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu yesterday.

    Rangers could even count themselves lucky not to have lost in front of their supporters as the visitors almost won the game with Ntonga shooting into goalkeeper Nana Bonsu’s hands as he only gathered on second attempt.

    Rangers opening goal arrived in the 24th minute from the penalty spot after Godwin Aguda had been felled inside the box.

    Captain Chibuzor Madu dispatched the resulting penalty kick inside the net, with the bewildered goalkeeper Jacob Banda rooted to his spot.

    Perhaps, the clearest scoring opportunity of the half fell to Patrick Kongolo in the 38th minute, when defender Pape Ousmane chest-trapped the ball to his goalkeeper, but the back pass short-landed for Kongolo who dispatched his effort criminally wide off post.

    Osas Okoro doubled Rangers advantage after poking the ball inside the net after Zesco captain and goalkeeper Jacob Banda failed to properly deal with a cross from the right hand channel.

    David Owino halved the deficit for Zesco in the 72nd minute, when he fired home after a goalmouth tussle following a corner kick from the right.

    Zesco then drew level on the 76th minute when Patrick Kongolo tapped home during a build-up from the right.

  • Rangers vs Zesco United: We ‘ll give our all for Amapakabo-Madu

    Rangers vs Zesco United: We ‘ll give our all for Amapakabo-Madu

    Rangers’ midfielder Christian Madu has declared that the Flying Antelopes will play their hearts out when they take on visiting Zesco United of Zambia in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoff, Sunday in Enugu.
    The resolve by the players to make it a must win encounter according to him is not unconnected with their desire to keep the flag flying in the continental chase and the need to save the job of coach Imama Amapakabo who has been working extremely hard for the Coal City side to excel despite poor run in the local league.
    Madu who blamed mother luck partly for Rangers misfortune in recent times maintained that the players have been playing well admitting however that there is always room for improvement.
    “I wouldn’t say we have been playing badly, on the contrary we have not been very lucky, but we are determined to rise above the challenges. The match against Zesco on Sunday will not be cheap but we are determined to put in everything we have to emerge victorious. We want to play for ourselves and for Coach Amapakabo and I am optimistic we will succeed,” he enthused
    The defensive midfielder, who contributed in no small measure to the team’s title winning exploits last season called on their fans to come out in large numbers on Sunday to cheer the team to victory.
    “I want to thank the club fans for their support so far and urge them to come out in large numbers on Sunday at the Temple to cheer the team to victory,” he submitted Saturday, shortly after the team’s training ahead of the super Sunday clash.
    Some soccer fans who bared their minds ahead of the match, said the only way the defending league champions can excel is not only to post a resounding victory against the Zlatko Krmpotić tutored side at the Temple, but also avoid conceding any goal for a better standing ahead of the return leg in Ndola on April 13.

  • Rangers spy on Zesco

    Rangers spy on Zesco

    •Flying Antelopes watch tapes of Zambians’ games

    Enugu Rangers players have taken a further step towards defeating their weekend opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs first leg tie, Zesco United of Zambia after they watched some of their video tapes with a view to exploring their weak and strong points.

    The Flying Antelopes have not been doing well in the domestic league this season where they currently are bottom of the 20 teams log with 13 points from 14 games but they are hoping to start a turnaround this weekend with a good display against the Zambian’s reigning league champions.

    A striker with the Nigeria’s league champions, Bobby Clement told SportingLife that the players watched some of the games of their weekend foes including their FA Cup games and with that they won’t be going into the first leg tie as complete novice against Zesco.

    He said Rangers’ players were in support of the technical crew led by Imama Amapakabo and that they are confident of returning to winning ways against the Zambians on Sunday to render the second leg tie a mere formality.

  • CAF Champions League: Rangers beat Zamalek 2-1, crash out

    CAF Champions League: Rangers beat Zamalek 2-1, crash out

    Nigeria Professional Football League champions (NPFL) Enugu Rangers have been dumped out of the CAF Champions League despite beating Egyptian side Zamalek 2-1.

    The Nigerian side lost the first leg 1-4 in Egypt and immediately set out to cancel the deficit by taking the lead in the game courtesy of a goal from Tope Olusesi few minutes from the half time break.

    Zamalek equalised in the second half through substitute striker Bassem Morsi in the 71st minute to restore their goal advantage leaving the Nigerians with a mountain to climb, as they needed to score four goals to progress to the next round.

    Godwin Aguda restored Enugu Rangers’ lead via the spot but the 2-1 win was not enough for them to progress to the next round, which is the group stage.

    Just like Rivers United, Rangers will now drop to the CAF Confederations Cup where they will be hoping to make atonement for their poor showing in the CAF Champions League.

  • Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Rangers depart for Cairo as Al Merreikh storm Garden City

    Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers will fly out of the country today for their CAF Champions League second round, first leg encounter with Zamalek FC of Egypt on Sunday.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed respected South African official, Daniel Frazer Bennett to be in charge of the clash at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo. Kick off is 9pm (Egypt time).

    Bennett will be assisted by fellow South Africans Zakhele Thusi Siwela (assistant referee 1), Sandile Dilikane (assistant referee 2) and Tinyiko Victor Hlungwani (reserve referee). The match commissioner is former FIFA referee Mourad Daami from Tunisia.

    Enugu Rangers’ chairman, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu said on Wednesday that the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have the go-go spirit and the tenacity to dig their feet into the ground against the ‘Mediterranean Knights’.

    “We will go to Egypt with a game plan to get a favourable result ahead of the return leg in Enugu next weekend,” said the former Nigeria captain and coach.

    Enugu Rangers eliminated Algerian debutants JS Saoura on the away goal rule in the earlier round, and must be at their best to overcome the experienced Egyptian campaigners to reach the lucrative mini-league stage of Africa’s prime club competition.

    Rivers United, the second team flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League, will host top Sudanese side, Al Merreikh at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt also on Sunday.

    The ‘Pride of Rivers’ were in great form in the earlier round, pounding AS Real Bamako 3-0 at the same venue after both teams played a 0-0 draw in Bamako in the first leg.

    Egyptian official Ghead Grisha, who was in charge when the Super Eagles defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola at the beginning of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series five months ago, will superintend proceedings in Port Harcourt. He will be assisted by fellow Egyptians Tahssen Abo El Sadat Bedyer (assistant referee 1), Ayman Degaish (assistant referee 2) and Mahmoud Zakaria Mohamed (reserve referee). The match commissioner is Mukaila Nassam Adam from Ghana.

  • Rangers’ Etor settling well in Enugu

    Rangers’ Etor settling well in Enugu

    Since the start of this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), champions Enugu Rangers have had their title defense rather more difficult than they could have imagined. The season got off to a worst possible start with a home loss to Abia Warriors – a team they got four points from last term.

    In a chat with www.npfl.ng after he scored the only goal that secured victory for the Champions against ABS on Wednesday, Etor acknowledged it was indeed a tough start for him in Enugu.

    “It was not an easy one at the initial stage. A lot of pressure were on the new players because the fans want to see what we can offer to the club. They believe the old players were better than the new ones so we knew we had a lot to do to convince them.

    “When the whole thing was not working well, the coach, the T.A (Imama) had to call me and we talked like father and son. He told me he has a lot of belief in me for me to join his team and he believes in my capabilities to deliver at any time. The only thing left for me being just to set myself up which I have done with hard work and prayers.” added the diminutive winger.

    “We know we are not in a good position but the key for our improvement is making sure we make every game count. That is what we are going to be doing starting from Sunday against Rivers United,” he said.

  • Rangers 1-0 ABS:Ajanah rues defeat on return

    Rangers 1-0 ABS:Ajanah rues defeat on return

    Ajanah Chiendu has expressed disappointment with ABS FC defeat against current NPFL champions Rangers.

    The 19-year-old was making a return to the starting line-up of the Bukola Saraki Boys after missing the game against Wikki Tourist last weekend due to suspension.

    The Flying Antelope made good of home advantage as Etor Daniel wriggled his way past two defenders before scoring the winner to set the home side back to winning ways following their 2-1 loss to MFM last week Friday.

    A disappointed Ajanah told SportingLife: “We gave it our best shot but Rangers defended their goal very well and got the three points.

    “They are a very good team and the league’s defending champion. We showed in the second half how good we are but unfortunately the goal did not come as expected but we are happy with our display.”

    ABS are third on the Nigeria Professional Football League log with 17points while Rangers sit 13th with 12points but have two outstanding matches.

  • Rangers are not machine, says Clement

    Rangers are not machine, says Clement

    Rangers International of Enugu striker, Bobby  Clement believes his side played with fatigue during Friday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game against Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) FC at the Agege Township Stadium.

    Clement scored a consolation goal for the Flying Antelopes in a 2-1 loss to MFM after Sikiru Olatunbosun and Stephen Odey had scored two goals for the home team in each half.

    MFM’s game on Friday was Rangers’ third matche in five days and the lanky forward believes  congested fixtures was responsible for the outcome of the game.

    He stressed that he and his teammates will continue to push hard to make an impact in the league this season.

    “I think we tried our best and fatigue takes its toll on us today and we couldn’t help it. Playing three games in five days, it was not easy at all. We can’t cheat nature and that is what happened here today. We will keep working hard to see that we achieve something great for the club at end of the season,” Clement told SportingLife.