The little over four thousand spectators that thronged the Ifeanyiubah International stadium on Ozubulu road, Nnewi, Anambra state for the NPFL Match Day 18 fixture between host’ FC Ifeanyiubah and guests, Rangers International F.C went home with satisfaction despite the tie ending on a barren note.
It was the first time that the seven-time Nigerian league champions, Rangers would be leaving this arena with a point in over three seasons but could not break the jinx of scoring any goal on this ground.
The visitors showed great hunger for goals as soon as the match got underway with quartet of Fabiyi Tayo, Ajani Ibrahim, Ugonna Anyora and Godwin Aguda pulling the strings but some quality goalkeeping from Charles Tambe denied Rangers goals on three occasions when Tayo Fabiyi, Ajani Ibrahim and Godwin Aguda were through on goal on 17, 20 and 22 minutes of play.
Coach Ogunbote of Rangers handed first start to Senegalese defender, Pape Ousmane just as Solomon Okpako got assigned a defensive midfield assignment and both players did not disappoint in their respective roles while there was also a first timer on the match day squad as bulky goaltender, James Aiyeyemi deputised for Femi Thomas.
Sensing danger, players of FC Ifeanyiubah gradually worked their way into the game and pushed forward with Chijioke Alakwe and Anyanwu Daberechi probing the rear of the visitors with great supplies from Patrick Ikeokwu and Tony Msonter but Rangers backline soaked the pressure.
On 36 and 38 minutes of play, Rangers goalkeeper, Thomas was called to make two important saves as Daberechi’ effort was tipped over the bar while Alakwe’ stinging shot within the box was bravely punched out.
The second half was full of great soccer artistry displayed by both teams with much talking points as Rangers defended more while the host pilled the pressure with the introduction of Ivorian import, Seka Pascal and former Nigerian league top scorer, Godwin Obaje by coach Laddan Bosso but Rangers defence worked themselves to the limit to earn a share of the spoils with their travelling fans drumming back happily with their famous; ‘Holy!! Holy!!!! Holy!!!!!! Enugu Rangers, another Champion!!!!!’
On the dot of time, Rangers’ substitute, Kelvin Itoya and the travelling supporters watched in awe, as he ran onto a defence splitting pass by Aguda, and curled his shot that beat Tambe but not the cross bar while in added time, the action shifted to the box of the visitors where every player defended bravely to a barrage of shots taken by the host.
Rangers’ coach, Olugbenga Ogunbote said after the encounter, “We give glory to God for one point on the road knowing fully that we drew our last game at home. We are equally under pressure to get positive results. I think they were lucky. If not for a few wastefulness, maybe we would have been talking of a different thing but that is football. On the ‘Oriental Derbies’, I think we have been lucky to get the results we have gotten thus far. I give God the glory for one point on the road.”
Captain of the day for the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Nigerian born Benin Republic senior international, Isaac Loute, said after the game, “I feel very excited and happy for the result achieved here today but it could have been better because we actually came here for all points at stake. Our target for the season remains the top prize hence we go for victory in all matches we play. I thank the fans for standing behind us in this match and hope to continue to make them happy in subsequent matches.”
RANGERS TEAM: Femi Thomas, Tope Olusesi, Isaac Loute, Solomon Okpako, Pape Ousmane, Okey Odita, Bright Silas, Ajani Ibrahim (Kelvin Itoya -48th Min.), Tayo Fabiyi (Semiu Liadi -90th Min), Ugonna Anyora (Salau Ibrahim -68th Min.), Godwin Aguda. SUBS NOT USED: James Aiyeyemi, Adun Osamudiamwen, Ebuka Okeke, Godwin Zaki.
FC IFEANYIUBAH TEAM: Tambe Charles, Wasiu Jimoh, Nwenyi Ebuka, Traore Issif,Sodiq Suraj, Tony Msonter, Patrick Ikeokwu (Adeboye Gabriel -80th Min.), Kone Yaya (Godwin Obaje -74th Min.), Anyanwu Daberechi (Seka Pascal -53rd Min.), Awazie Ekene, Chijioke Alakwe. SUBS NOT USED: Bamba Drissa, Adeleye Olamilekan, Ossai Felix, Chidume Onyedikachi.
REFEREE: Col. Olawale Fawole - Kaduna
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