Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Fans of Enugu Rangers International FC have expressed concern over the abysmal performance of the club in the ongoing 2022/3 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The concerned fans who bared their minds in Enugu expressed the hope that the club would not be relegated while some expressed fear of a drop to the lower division.
Speaking, Uchenna Orji, Chairman of the supporters club expressed dismay on the club’s failure to prosecute almost two seasons without a General Manager and a Team Manager.
“Rangers FC is the only club without a clear leader for over a year and counting and the only team playing away from home for two good seasons,” he said.
Orji said the club will find it difficult to survive the league but have to give good account of themselves by escaping relegation at the end of he season.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FC Starplus, Staplus Izuikem, was confident that the club will not be relegated this season.
He said that this season should be an eye opener for Rangers FC and everyone that loves the club because many things were done abnormally.
According to him, “Rangers FC mood of recruiting players is wrong; so many old big name players taking salaries, while there are young vibrant players looking to make name for themselves.
“Look at what Bendel Insurance is doing with young players, we can still get it right if we start from the grassroots.
Also, former Secretary of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu chapter, Ignatius Okpara, said that Rangers FC was working on a very tight rope, which does not speak well of the club.
“Well, it is still under probability, but the truth is that Rangers is working on a very tight rope, and as you know, in football anything can happen.
“Unless they win all their remaining home games and pick at least three points away, the Flying Antelopes, may be on their way to the relegation corridor,” Okpara said.
Chidera Pius, FC Star Plus captain, said that Rangers FC needs to take the remaining four matches of the season like finals to save their face.
“Rangers FC just have four matches in the season to save their face and an away win and two home wins will do the magic for the club.
“The battle for survival is now between Rangers FC and Dakkada FC who is below them on 9th position and I believe that seven to nine points can do the magic.
“Even with a draw in away and two home wins, Rangers FC may survive depending on Dakkada away performance for the remaining four matches.
“The club needs to sit up and remember that no team is above relegation since it can happen to Kano Pillars last season,” Pius said.
