Former league champions, Enugu Rangers International F.C, Monday, at Lafia City stadium, in a match Day 5 encounter of 2017/2018 NPFL fixture lost all three points at stake as host’ Nasarawa United ran away with a 2-1 victory.
The host started the game on a high and were rewarded on 9 minute when some hesitant defending from Rangers back line gave Abubakar Abdullahi enough time to slam home the opening goal to send fans of the home side into wild jubilation.
Stunned as they were, the visitors took the game to the host with Kelvin Itoya, Godwin Aguda and Abu Azeez probing for the much needed leveller but Suraj Ayeleso, in goal for the host, was in fine form as he blocked, parried and clutched all that was thrown at him.
On 16, 26 and 37 minutes of play, the experienced shot stopper blocked out Abu Azeez stinging shot while also parrying out Godwin Aguda’ half volley and standing his ground to deny Azeez another sniff at goal to the relief of the half full stadium.
The seven time league champions continued from where it stopped as the second half resumed with the introduction of Richard Jonathan for Ugonna Anyora and his combination with Aguda and Silas was great.
Yusuf Ibrahim’ introduction for Abu Azeez further gave the visitors more opportunities and in one of their forays upfront, captain of the side, Okechukwu Odita, reacted the quickest to nod past a badly positioned, Ayeleso, for the equalizer just few minutes after denying Itoya in a one-on-one situation and the few travelling fans went on frenzy.
Coach Ogunbote’ men created more opportunities to wrap up the encounter but poor finishing and some questionable calls from the arbiter combined to rob the visitors more goals and with three minutes into the five of add-on time, the referee awarded a penalty kick to the host which was expertly dispatched by Seun Sogbeso and from the re-start, Rangers got a corner kick which was swung in by Godwin Aguda and misses by the defenders of the host saw the ball fall to Okey Odita who reacted well to find the net for what would have the second equalizer but was ruled out by the referee.
Coach Ogunbote said after the encounter, “We played well especially in the second half and deserve to have left Lafia with at least one point but the referee knows better. We go back to put back our target on track against Rivers United. It was a painful loss.”
Captain Okey Odita said, “We came here to get a good result which would have been possible but I don’t know why the referee had to rule out my second goal. Yes, we have lost the match but the championship is still open for us.”
Coach Kabiru Dogo in his post match chat said, “We thank God for this victory. Rangers have never been an easy team to play and my players did well to contain them and came up with the victory we needed to steady our campaign.”
STATISTICS:
NASARAWA UNITED TEAM: Suraj Ayeleso, Abubakar Abdullahi, Shehu Rabiu, Ndala Isa, Seun Sogbeso, Jide Williams, Thomas Zenke (Victor Okoro -73rdmin.), Douglas Achiv, Suleiman Mohammed (Nojeem Olukokun -82nd min.), Ishaya Anyu, Ibrahim Sanusi (Opeyemi Saheed -84th min.). SUBS NOT USED: Umar Danlami, Emmanuel Makama, Mohammed Manga, Jafar Buhari.
GOALS: Abubakar Abdullahi – 9th minute, Seun Sogbeso – 90+3 minutes (Pen).
CAUTIONS: Douglas Achiv – 39th minute, Shehu Rabiu -62nd minutes.
ENUGU RANGERS TEAM: Femi Thomas, Camara Aziz, Adun Osamudiamwen, Christian Madu, Semiu Liadi, Okechukwu Odita, Bright Silas, Abu Azeez (Yusuf Ibrahim – 72nd min.), Kelvin Itoya, Ugonna Anyaora (Richard Jonathan -54thmin.), Godwin Aguda. SUBS NOT USED: Seidu Mutawakilu, Chibuzor Madu, Felix Ogbuke, Chiamaka Madu, Ifeanyi George.
GOAL: Okechukwu Odita -78th minutes.
CAUTIONS: Semiu Liadi – 12th minutes.
REFEREE: Nurudeen Abubakar – Bauchi state.
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