A goal in each half of a highly entertaining match day 14 NPFL 2023/2024 fixture ensured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C got back to winning ways as they stopped a youthful, Sporting Lagos F.C before the appreciative supporters at the Awka City Stadium, Sunday.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers opted for a more attacking option of play in this encounter as he rested more than half of the match day 13 starting squad in Yenagoa and he was not disappointed with the blistering start of the match from his wards.
The quartet of Chidiebere Nwobodo, Austin Onyemaechi, Okorie Chiedozie, and Naziru Auwalu at the blast of the referee’s whistle signaling the start of hostilities went on rampage but for the brilliance of the visitor’s shot stopper, Nwoke Christian, who reacted well to push out an Auwalu’ curly shot of two minutes and stood firm to prevent David Chimezie’ left footed shot from the resulting corner kick from nestling in the net.
In 9 minutes, Austin Onyemaechi broke the deadlock with a stinging shot that went through the goalkeeper’s legs after Austin Opara had found Nwobodo who sent a delicate chip to the unmarked Onyemaechi as the home bench rose to celebrate.
More opportunities came the way of the host but some unpardonable missed opportunities off the boots of Nwobodo, Okorie, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi coupled with the brilliance of Nwoke, who stood tall between the sticks for the visiting, Sporting Lagos, even though, Okorie thought he had doubled the lead on 12 minutes but the referee chopped off his effort.
In the second half, the opportunities came for both sides with more coming the way of the home side. Still, they went begging and with three minutes to the end of proceedings, Anthony Henry fouled goal-bound, Nwobodo inside the box and the referee wasted no time in making the call and substitute, Agu Kenechukwu, fired an unstoppable shot past Nwoke Christian for the second goal of the encounter on 89 minutes to send the cheering fans at the stadium into wild jubilations.
Chief coach of Rangers, Alli Suleman, who spoke in the post-match briefing, said, “It was a good game against a strong side but we wanted it more and got the result we wanted and worked for. We understood that we have not done well in our last four matches and the boys upped their game today for the result that we are celebrating. The importance of this win today is that it has raised the morale of the players as we prepare for our next match which is against Enyimba in Aba. We thank God for the victory.”
With the win, Rangers now occupy the 10th spot on the twenty teams log with eighteen points from 13 matches as the encounter with Rivers United remains postponed and will on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, trade tackles with Enyimba International in an ‘Oriental Derby’ at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba in an NPFL re-arranged match day 15 fixture.