2024/25 NPFL MD 3: Tired Rangers Have No Option, Other Than Beat Bayelsa Utd In Enugu” – Ilechukwu
_…Berates Ogunmodede for Indulging In “Dark Art”_
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Technical Advisor, and Head Coach of Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu, Fidelis Ilechukwu has backed his stuttering side to steady the ship, and bounce back from their momentary loss of form, starting with the rearranged Day-3 fixture, against Bayelsa United FC of Yenagoa, tomorrow, in Enugu.
Speaking in Ikenne after his team’s 1-2 defeat to NPFL Vice-Champions, Remo Stars; Coach Ilechukwu said, despite the loss, he was also pleased with how his players have responded to their exit from the CAF Champions League.
“I must say, I love the way the players responded in our last two games, at Ikorodu City and here in Ikenne-Remo. As much as there is fatigue built in already, as a result of our recent crowded schedules, it’s not going to be easy against a well-rested Bayelsa United on Wednesday at the Cathedral”, Ilechukwu said.
Ilechukwu was however quick to add that he and the players have no choice other than to win the game, and reduce the big gap that exists between the Flying Antelopes (4 points) and the table toppers.
Remo Stars with a perfect record, of four wins in as many games, sit at the summit of the log on 12 points, and are followed by Coach Finidi George-led Rivers United who are unbeaten so far this season and are in second position, with 10 points, earned from four games played.
Back to Sunday’s game, a philosophical Ilechukwu insisted that it was a good game for both sides, and a good advert for the ever-improving NPFL. According to him, “despite the loss I think the work we have put in to make our attack more functional has started to yield positive results. For Remo Stars, they can celebrate the 3 points in their kitty”.
The former Plateau United, Heartland of Owerri and MFM FC of Lagos gaffer also rated Remo Stars as a big team, and one of the best in the NPFL, but couldn’t hide his disappointment with the desperation of his opposite number, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede aka Ija-Ball, who resorted to the proverbial “Dark Art” with a view to win the game at all cost.
“Telling his player not to observe ‘fairplay’ is anti-football and does not speak well of him, or any top Coach of his calibre. It’s also important we do not prioritize gaining 3 points, above human life; life is precious”, he posited.
After just four rounds of fixtures, of which Rangers have played three games, he conceded that it is normal to feel a bit worried. “But I can assure all our fans that, as defending NPFL champions, we are not panicking, we are also not under pressure, either from within or outside the club’s hierarchy. The simple truth is that we have not been scoring a lot of goals, but the signs I and my crew saw against Remo Stars are heartwarming. We will build on them”, he further asserted .
Rangers Int’l FC had a somewhat quiet preseason, which was occasioned by the number of key players that left the club, for greener pastures overseas, after they won the 2023/24 title.
And since the new season began, the reigning NPFL Champions have largely struggled to put away the many scoring chances, they have created in their games; both on the Continent and in the NPFL, and have not managed to score more than once, in all of these games; but Ilechukwu aka the Working One says all of these are about to change for the better.
In games that will be played this Wednesday, Bendel Insurance FC will host Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, at the Samuel 0gbondeminu Stadium, in Benin City; while wounded Enyimba FC will look to bounce back from their 0-2 loss at Rivers United, when hosting Mohammed Baba-Ganaru’s fumbling Akwa United FC, in Aba.
