It was a much improved performance for the former NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C in the Match Day 11 fixture against host’s, Sunshine Stars inside Akure Township stadium as they were forced to a 1-1 draw.
The host took the initiative as soon as referee Auwalu Rabiu from Zamfara state signalled for the start of hostilities with Ezekiel Thompson, Abiodun Joseph and Sikiru Alimi pushing the defence line of the visitors to its limit but to its credit, the Okey Odita led backline stood their ground.
Rangers’ players gradually took the game to their hosts with Ajani Ibrahim, Ifeanyi George, Bright Silas and Godwin Aguda probing the rear of the host and would have shoot into the lead on 23 minutes but Ajani shot wide when he was put through by a defence splitting pass from Tope Olusesi.
Five minutes later, Ajani turned provider of the opening goal as his well measured pass was met by Ifeanyi George who blasted past the groping hands of Ocheje Moses to send the Akure fans into surprise silence while the travelling fans went on wiled jubilations.
Ocheje, however produced a world class save on 35 minutes to deny Isaac Loute’ pile drive from nestling in the net after the left-back dribbled his way past a sea of tackling legs to pull the trigger.
Substitute, Emmanuel Sunday who came in for CHAN Eagles star, Ekundayo Ojo, did cause Rangers defenders some troubles with his massy runs and dribbles and he made Femi Thomas do some quality goalkeeping on 38 minutes to save the ‘Flying Antelopes’ some blushes.
Some slack defending by Rangers backline gave enough time and room for lanky defender, Nojeem Raji to restore parity as he nodded into a yawning net an inviting free kick from Emmanuel Sunday with only three minutes to the end of the first stanza.
Sunshine started the second stanza as they did the first as Thomas was called to duty as early as the 48th minute as he made a full length dive to deny Emmanuel Sunday’ effort from going in.
Rangers did respond with a quarter of an hour left on the clock as Ifeanyi George and Kelvin Itoya’s curly shot from a distance missed targets by whiskers.
Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote of Rangers said after the encounter, “It was a good game and a good result that could have been better for us. We planned to get all three points but we thank God for the one point we got. We played against a highly technical side and I give them kudos. We continue to fine tune our team and very soon, we shall get what we really want.”
Nojeem Raji in his post match chat said, “It was a difficult match but we could have won the game but for some questionable calls by the referee. We hope to get the lost points soon.”
Ifeanyi George said, “I thank God for the goal and the result the team was able to get in Akure. I have been working to get my goal scoring form back and I believe it has started and there is no looking back.”
STATISTICS:
SUNSHINE STARS TEAM: Moses Ocheje, Seun Olulayo (Omotayo Adebogun -88th min.), Ekundayo Ojo (Emmanuel Sunday -33rd min.), Abiodun Joseph (Franklin Sasere 67th min.) Sunday Abe, Jide Fatokun, Anthony Omaka, Sikiru Akimi, Ezekiel Thompson, Kehinde Adedipe, Nojeem Raji. SUBS NOT USED: Henry Ayodele, El-Shittu Lawal, Niyi Adekunle, Ezekiel Boboye.
GOAL: Nojeem Raji – 42nd minute.
RANGERS TEAM: Femi Thomas, Tope Olusesi, Isaac Loute, Christian Madu, Chibuzor Madu, Okey Odita, Bright Silas (Solomon Okpakor -75th min.), Ajani Ibrahim (Pape Ousmane -87th min.), Ifeanyi George, Chiamaka Madu (Kelvin Itoya -47th min.), Godwin Aguda. SUBS NOT USED: Nana Bonsu, Yusuf Ibrahim, Felix Ogbuke, Ugwu Uwadiegwu.
GOAL: Ifeanyi George – 28th minute.
REFEREE: Auwalu Rabiu – Zamfara
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