By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Head Coach of Rangers Int’l FC, Fidelis Ilechukwu appears to have conceded the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, when he asked fans of the club, to lower any expectation they hold, as to the NPFL Champions retaining the title they won last season.
Speaking shortly after the Flying Antelopes defeated Ikorodu City of Lagos 2-0 at the Cathedral; Ilechukwu noted that the laboured victory after run of disappointing results, was good news; in the sense that Rangers completed a season’s double over the _Oga Boys,_and they did so without conceding against a very good, fluid, and energetic Ikorodu City, who they also managed to beat 1-0 in Lagos.
“I have the conviction that we will return to our usual best. We are a team that work in synergy with the government, and the option is to draft-in players from our satellite teams; and our fans need to be patient, while support us, rather than feel disenchanted”, Ilechukwu told reporters, in Enugu.
In the absence of Kareem Ogunleye, who is on the brink of a move overseas, veteran forward Godwin Obaje led the line, and struck the opener on the stroke of 45 minutes; before a shot by Isaac Saviour, was deflected in by Victor Ekujah (89th minute) for Rangers to wrap up the much needed win.
With Rangers now 4th, and on 34 points, 11 points adrift of table topping Remo Stars FC, it does seem only 2nd on the log, Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan are the only side breathing down the neck of the Sky Blues of Ikenne-Remo.
3SC were on a streak of seven unbeaten matches, before they were held 1-1 in Jos, by Plateau United FC on Sunday. That draw notwithstanding, Gbenga Ogunbote’s side are on 37 points, with a game in hand; and that makes the _Oluyole Warriors_ the only serious title contenders.
On Sunday, Finidi George’s Rivers United reclined to 3rd, that’s 2 points adrift of Shooting Stars SC, after the Pride of Rivers slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Owerri, to Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
In Monday’s other games decided, Bendel Insurance edged Katsina United FC 1-0 in Benin, thanks to a well-taken goal by Julius Emiloju in the 27th minute; and a goal in each half by Wasiu Alalale and Wasiu Jimoh ensured that Kwara United FC defeated Katsina United 2-0 at the Kwara Sports Complex, in Ilorin.
Meanwhile, another team that has been through a bad patch, Enyimba Int’l FC of Aba, eased the pressure of the players, coaching crew, and Nwankwo Kanu led Management by piping hapless Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in Lafia, with rising star, Ifeanyi Ihemekwala getting the only goal for the People’s Elephant, on 40 minutes.
Elsewhere, Bayelsa United FC held Kano Pillars FC to an improbable goalless draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in Kofarmata; and that result precipitated the suspension of Usman Abd’Allah, as Head Coach of the Sai Masugida.
Akwa United FC stayed 20th, and in the bottom four, after a 0-2 loss in Umuahia, to Abia Warriors FC; and it was the same scoreline with which Niger Tornadoes lost to 19th in the table, Nasarawa United FC, in Lafia, on Sunday.
The other team floating on top of the drop zone, Sunshine Stars FC lost 1-2 at home (Ijebu-Ode), to red-hot Remo Stars FC, whose blistering form, and run of very impressive results, are threatening to make the league, “a One Horse race”.
