Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan on Sunday stunned Rangers International FC, with a 1-0 defeat to end Rangers 10-match unbeaten run in the 2024/25 NPFL week 18 encounter played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
The highly anticipated old rivalry between the two teams lived up to the pre-match billings.
A 27th minute strike by Ikouwem Utim saw the halting of a10-match unbeaten run of the NPFL reigning champions, Rangers International F.C, as the visitors, 3SC, ran away with the three maximum points at the Cathedral.
The encounter saw the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored side take the battle to the visitors with the duo of Godwin Obaje and Frank Uwumiro leading the attack but the backline of 3SC anchored around Alex Aghahowa stood their ground.
The visitors were more dominant in the middle of the pack, stringing passes that brought out cheers from the fans that came for the match.
Ejike Ugochukwu got a half chance to draw Rangers level just two minutes later after he was fed by Kenechukwu Agu as the visitor’s defended in their numbers.
At the start of the second period, a double substitution was effected by the Rangers bench which saw the introduction of Kazeem Ogunleye and Silas Nenrot.
This forced the visitors to sit deep in their defense and ensured that all efforts by the home team were rebuffed.
The consistent pressure from Rangers was rewarded with a penalty kick awarded by the center referee after right-back, Effimi Nsi, was brought down inside the box on 82 minutes.
However, the resultant kick was flashed over the bar by Ikenna Stephen as the packed stadium rued a missed opportunity while the visiting crew celebrated.
The loss meant Rangers dropped to the 4th spot on the log and will travel to trade tackles with Niger Tornadoes in the last match of the first round on December 29, 2024, at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna, Niger State.
Chief coach of Rangers, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, in the post-match reaction said it was a very sad one.
“It was a very bad game we had today but that is football for us.
“Sometimes, it happens and our carelessness gave away the goal but we have to put the result behind us and march forward as we still have more games to play this season,” he said.
On his part 3SC coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, a veteran, described the match as satisfactory, adding that “they aimed to go to far in the league and possibly win it.”
