Rangers run over Wikki in Enugu

Players of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C shrugged off what could be termed lethargic performance in the last four NPFL fixtures without a single goal to fire three past a determined and enterprising Wikki Tourists F.C in a match day 19 fixture in Enugu.

The visitors were the better off the block as the referee signalled the start of hostilities and could have shot into the lead as early as the 7^th and 10^th minutes but Femi Thomas, who was between the sticks for the seven time Nigerian league champions proved his mettle to push out a Shammah Tanze and Manu Garba’ efforts.

Sensing trouble, former Super Eagles winger, Felix Ogbuke, Tope Olusesi and Tayo Fabiyi upped their games and took the battle to the half of the visitors with Tope forcing Pius Ibrahim to make a point blank save on 22 minutes but there was no stopping the host from taking the lead on 35 minutes as Godwin Aguda scrambled home a perfectly weighted free kick from Felix Ogbuke.

Efforts from both sides to score more goals could not materialize as a combination of good goalkeeping and wasteful attitude ensured both teams retired to their dressing rooms with only one goal to show for their efforts.

The visitors upped their game as the second stanza got underway and could have levelled scores on 67 minutes as lone striker, Tanze was freed by a delightful pass from Victor Alegbe only for Rangers shot stopper, Femi Thomas to deny the effort from resting inside the net.

Midfield maestro, Christian Madu increased the tally for the host as his long range effort took a wicked deflection off a Wikki defender to nestle inside the net on 70 minutes and it could have been worse for the visitors two minutes later as substitute, Kelvin Itoya reacted late to a spilled ball by the goalkeeper.

Itoya, however, made up for his miss earlier with a sublime free kick from the edge of the box after goal bound Tope Olusesi was upended and the former Warri Wolves midfielder curled the ball past the six man wall of defence set by Pius Ibrahim to kiss the net for the third goal that will make Real Madrid and Portugal star, Christiano Ronaldo grin with smiles at the perfect execution as the little over seven thousand fans that thronged the stadium rose to salute the goal on 75 minutes.

The visitors thought they had found a way past the defence line of host on 90 minutes but left back, Isaac Loute, who did well all through the game, was alert enough to make a goal line clearance after Thomas found himself in no-man’s land.

Coach Famous Ogbe who spoke after the match said, “It was a good game with plenty of goals for our team even though, the visitors gave us some anxious moments in the game. We continue with our re-building process as we continue to chase our target at the end of the season. We thank our fans for standing solidly behind us in our last four matches when the results did not come as expected.”

Bala Nikyu, gaffer of the Bauchi side, said, “Well, nobody would expect this kind of result in a match having started well. In the first ten minutes when we threw away two glaring chances, I knew something will happen. Football is a very funny kind of sports. There are times you will play badly and still win and sometimes, you play well and lose. I am not disappointed with the performance of my players today. I believe it was destined to happen this way.”

RANGERS TEAM: Femi Thomas, Chidera Eze, Isaac Loute, Christian Madu, Okey Odita, Pape Ousmane, Tope Olusesi (Richard Jonathan -86^th Min.), Godwin Aguda, Tayo Fabiyi (Godwin Zaki -80^th Min.), Solomon Okpako, Felix Ogbuke (Kelvin Itoya -75^th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: James Aiyeyemi, Adun Osamudiamwen, Chibuzor Madu, Chiamaka Madu.

GOALS: Godwin Aguda -35^th minute, Christian Madu -70^th minute, Kelvin Itoya – 75^thminute.

WIKKI TOURISTS TEAM: Pius Ibrahim, Bala Zakka (Mustapha Ibrahim -77^th Min.), Waziri Christopher, Abdulkareem Chindo, Peter Ambrose, Audullahi Musa, Abbe Umar (Abubakar Umar -60^th Min.), Shammah Tanze, Manu Garba, Emmanuel Agwu, Victor Alegbe (Kalu Samuel -77^th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Emeka Onyia, Giwa Isaac, Hassan Abubakar, Elijah Ani.

REFEREE: Paul Umuago (FIFA) – Delta state.