Lagos-based MFM FC on Friday night defeated Rangers International of Enugu 2-1. Goals by Sikiru Olatunbosun in the 26th minute and Stephen Odey’s 65th minute brilliant strike gave MFM the victory, while Rangers’ consolatory goal was scored by Bobby Clement in the 81st minute.
Tag: RANGERS
-
Clement: Rangers’ players battling with fatigue
Enugu Rangers’ striker, Bobby Clement has confessed that the Flying
Antelopes’ players are struggling with fatigue occasioned by several matches they have played recently including the tonight’s NPFL Match Day Match Day 10 tie against MFM in Lagos.
The Flying Antelopes will face the Olukoya Boys barely 48 hours after beating Lobi Stars 2-1 in a re-arranged Match Day 7 tie and the Lagos tie will be the third time the team will take to the pitch in five days.
Clement scored the match-winner in his side’s last gasp win over the Pride of Benue for his second goal of the campaign and he has promised to add more against MFM despite the fatigue worry.
-
Rangers, Wikki return to NPFL with crucial wins
Enugu Rangers and Wikki Tourists marked winning return to the NPFL after over two weeks break after they defeated Lobi Stars and 3SC in Match Day 7 rescheduled games played in Enugu and Bauchi respectively.
The Flying Antelopes shot into the lead in the 21st minute through Daniel Etor who followed up his impressive display last weekend in the CAF Champions League preliminary round victory over JS Saoura of Algeria with a cool finish after a defensive blunder from the Pride of Benue.
Rangers lead wasn’t for long as the centre referee blew an infringement in the reigning champions’ vital area after Tony Okpotu was adjudged to have been tripped in the 18 yard box by the goals scorer, Etor in the 36th minute. Even though Nana Bonsu saved the initial effort of the spot kick by Kingsley Eduwo he netted from the loose ball after Rangers’ defenders failed to clear their line in the 37th minute.
It was as if the tie would end 1-1 when Bobby Clement pounced at the dead to restore Rangers lead and ensure that the league’s defending champions got the three points to leave the relegation zone with nine points from seven games. They are now 15th on the log.
In Port Harcourt, it was a cracker between Rivers United and Kano Pillars at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium yesterday after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw. It was Sai Masu Gida’s first away point of the season.
Godbless Asamoah scored the curtain raiser in the 45th minute for his first goal of the season to give the hosts the lead but Pillars found the much needed equaliser in the 58th minute through Amos Gyang.
At the Mohammed Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Katsina United recorded their first win from five matches after beating FC IfeanyiUbah 1-0 yesterday through the strike of Destiny Ashadi who was a major doubt to feature before the start of the match.
They held steadfastly to their lead to make it 13 points from nine games and have moved to sixth on the log.
While at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, Wikki Tourists needed a 70th minute strike from Nnaemeka Anyanwu to edge 3SC by a lone goal in their tie yesterday.
It was the right response from the Bauchi side who had three days earlier crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup competition at the first hurdle.
They got the win they desired to cool the frail nerves of their fans and supporters and have moved to 10 points from seven games. They are now 12th on the log.
-
Amakapabo: Victory over Lobi not cheap
Rangers coach Imama Amakapabo has expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in Wednesday’s Premier league tie against visiting Lobi Stars. Amakapabo who described the match as a tough game confessed that the flying Antelopes had to dig deep to claim the entire three points at the expense of hard fighting Lobi Stars.
“Difficult game against Lobi Stars, but I am happy we got all three points at the last minute,” he said shortly after the final whistle.
The game decided at the Cathedral ended 2-1 in favour of Rangers with the coach hailing the fighting spirit of his boys who only few days ago held Algerian side JS Saoura to a goalless draw to advance in the Champions league where they will face Zamalek of Egypt.
“The boys did not lose hope and kept fighting until the second goal was scored,” he enthused
The victory is coming at a time when some are beginning to worry over what they dubbed Rangers poor run at home. The result some fans were quick to say will fire the team to greater heights.
Rangers who are due in Lagos tomorrow Thursday will next face MFM on Friday night in tie which some have predicted will be full of fireworks
-
Rangers advance despite home draw
Rangers International FC of Enugu squeeze into the second round of the 2017 CAF Champions League after drawing 0-0 at home to JS Saoura of Algeria, advancing on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
More details later.
-
Enugu govt praises Rangers
THE Enugu State government has praised Rangers International FC for the away draw recorded in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg tie played against JS Saoura of Algeria last weekend.
The State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, however, charged the players to go all out for a convincing home win over their Algerian foes this weekend in the second leg cracker billed for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The governor made this known when the players and management of the Flying Antelopes paid him a visit on their return from Algeria and he has admonished them to beat JS Saoura and expect his goodies at the end of the encounter on Sunday.
The skipper of the team, Etim Matthew who spoke on behalf of the players, praised the efforts of the state government in the welfare of Rangers while assuring that the players will do their utmost to eliminate their Algerian counterparts on Sunday.
Meanwhile Rangers have resumed training session ahead of the second leg billed for this weekend in Enugu.
The players and officials trained on Tuesday and will do the same till about 24 hours before the tie.
-
Angry fan slaps Rangers ‘bad signing’ Daniel Etor
An angry fan slapped Daniel Etor at the weekend after describing him as a bad signing for champions Enugu Rangers.
Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Niger Tornadoes and the fan, widely known as ‘Baba Agu’, stepped onto the pitch after the game to slap Etor, who joined Rangers from Enyimba this season.
‘Baba Agu’ said he assaulted Etor because he kept drawing back Rangers attack.
“He is a bad signing, a player who is below par,” blasted the fan, who has been known to terrorise officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
He was not arrested for the assault and it is not known whether the player, who has represented Nigeria at U-20 and Olympic team levels, will press charges against him with the police. He also called for the sack of Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo after a slow start to the season for the champions. -
Chairman Christian Chukwu is Rangers GM/CEO
Former Super Eagles coach and captain Christian Chukwu has been appointed General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer of Rangers international of Enugu.
The club took to its twitter handle Monday night to announce the new appointment all in an effort to beef up the league defending champions who will be flying the Nation’s flag in this year’s CAF Champions league
“Chairman Christian Chukwu is now the GM/ CEO of the Club,” the Coal City club dished submitted.
The former Harambees Stars of Kenya coach did not only play for Rangers international but coached the Flying Antelopes leading them to the 6th position in the 2008/2009 season.
The no nonsense defender in captained the Green Eagles team that clinched the Nations Cup in 1980.
Nicknamed The Chairman back in the days of his playing career, Chukwu some say, would be of immense benefit to Rangers at this time that the club need to do well not only at the home front but need to return to the continental front to claim a pride of place.
Rangers it would be recalled broke a 32 year jinx to win the Nigeria league with many of the fans describing the break through as sign of better things to come. -
‘NPFL win possible at Rangers’
Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abubakar Bala has said his side are well motivated to challenge successfully for the three points at champions Enugu Rangers.
Bala said the hard fought win against Africa’s second tier inter-club campaigners, Wikki Tourists, is the driving force for his side to come out unscathed in the clash at the Flying Antelopes.
“Of course, we expect a good match at Enugu Rangers on Sunday in Enugu. The outcome is sure to make everybody happy.
“We have worked very hard. The moral and financial incentives from the management are quite great.
“The players were handsomely rewarded after the win against Wikki Tourists and another incentive is on ground for good performance and result at Enugu Rangers.
“And on our part as technical crew we know we have the capacity to ruffle feathers and we have told the players so.
“We have the confidence to replicate the wonderful performance against Wikki Tourists at Enugu Rangers as well as grab our first points on the road.
“Good enough everybody knows we are going to face the champions so we have already steeled ourselves for the banters Rangers will throw at us,” said the former FC Lokoja coach to supersport.com.
-
Rangers, FC Ifeanyi Ubah battle in Super Cup
NIGERIA champions Enugu Rangers will battle cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah in this year’s season-opening Super Cup on Wednesday in Abuja.
Rangers will represent the country in this year’s CAF Champions League, while IfeanyiUbah will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup by virtue of their Federation Cup triumph.
The new Nigeria league season will kick off on Friday, January 14, when hosts Kano Pillars battle IfeanyiUbah in Kano.
The rest of the opening week fixtures will be played on Sunday.