CAF CL: “Striker Godwin Obaje Was Badly Missed, But Rangers Will Get the Job Done” – Ilechukwu
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Technical Adviser of Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu, Fidelis Ilechukwu has admitted that it will take a while, for the reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, to get a striker that will match or surpass the qualities of Godwin Obaje, who many believe was badly missed in Sunday’s 1-0 win, over US Zilimandjou FC of Comoros, in the first preliminary round, of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.
Fielding questions from Sports Journalists, after the encounter l, played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Ilechukwu noted that his team created enough chances, but were not able to convert them because of some sort of poor finishing.
“Honestly, we planned to win by a wider margine, but our inability to take the so many chances created, especially in the first half, gave them the belief with which they came out for the second half and made things more difficult for us”, Ilechukwu said.
Rangers Int’l got their solitary goal in the 22nd minute of the encounter, through Frank Uwumiro, but the absence of a big-match striker like Obaje, revaveperated all over when chances upon chances went begging, for connection.
“The management of Rangers made frantic effort to retain him [Obaje] but an offer was already in for him. We tried persuading him to stay knowing the importance of having such a valuable striker that can determine matches in our squad for the 2024/2025 season; but eventually he has to go, and we wish him the best, in his career”, he added.
Rangers aka the Flying Antelopes are looking to defend the Nigeria professional football league (NPFL) title, and have a credible campaign in the CAF Champions League this season.
Meanwhile Ilechukwu has hinted that with the improvements the Comoros champions, US Zilimandjou FC showed in the second half of their 0-1 home loss on Sunday; Rangers will have to find a better gear on Friday, August 23rd to complete the job, and secure passage to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
Friday’s decisive game, also holds at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; a venue which also hosted the first leg, at the instance of the Comoros champions; after CAF ruled that no stadium in that country was good enough to host a game of that magnitude.
According to the Rangers sweat merchant, “Other strikers are coming up, they may not be as fast as we want them, in their development; but then as the season progresses it’s sure that they will find goals that Rangers will need to negotiate their matches”.
Godwin Obaje who now spots jersey No. 16 at Oman Club FC, in the Oman Pro League, has been in just one match-day squad out of the three games, played this season. He came on as a sub, and played for 21 minutes, and got an assist in a 2-1 home victory over Saham club FC.
The 27-year-old centre forward from Kogi State, who stands at 1.88 meters tall, joined Enugu Rangers from Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, and scored 15 times, while rendering 4 assists, in 42 league games. Cumulatively, Obaje who also had stints with Plateau United, FC IfeanyiUbah, and Abia Warriors of Umuahia, scored 77 goals and had 20 assists in 202 NPFL match.
