Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The ‘Flying Antelopes,’ Rangers International F.C of Enugu on Wednesday produced one of their finest games of the season in the 2-0 win over visiting Sunshine Stars F.C of Akure in a match day 28 NPFL 2023/2024 fixture played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Kalu Nweke and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi were the goal scorers for the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side that has gone ten matches unbeaten in the league and with the result, maintain its stay at the summit of the twenty team log.
The home side did not hide its desire to carry the day as they took charge of the game at the blast of the whistle.
There was a penalty shout as early as the second minute when a Kalu Uche defense splitting pass found Godwin Obaje who dribbled past Chidozie Iwundu only to be tripped by the straying foot of Love Isaac Emmanuel of Sunshine inside the box but the referee instead awarded a goal kick to the disappointment of the fans.
The midfield combination of Isaac Saviour, Kazeem Ogunleye, Naziru Auwalu and Ejike Ugochukwu were too much to handle for the visitors’ rear ably led by 2013 AFCON winner, Godfrey Oboabona.
However, as much as Rangers tried to break down the resistance of the coach Kennedy Boboye led ‘Owena Whales,’ goalkeeper, Ishola Abdulateef, stood like a solid rock as he punched, parried and blocked out almost all that was thrown at him.
However Kalu Nweke broke the deadlock on the 39th minute to send the fans into raptured moments.
Defender, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi scored his second of the season and the second goal of the match on 71 minutes when he was allowed much space by the defenders of Sunshine Stars who failed to clear a Nweke Kalu’ corner kick.
Substitute, Chiedozie Okorie had two great opportunities to extend the goal haul for his side but could not make it count just as Godwin Obaje failed to walk home an inviting cross from Saviour Isaac as the referee ended proceedings.
In the post-match chat, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said, “I think it was a one sided game.
“We dominated our opponents both in the first and second half.
“We created a lot of chances but quite unfortunately, we could not take all of them.”
With the result, Rangers continued to occupy the prime position on the twenty team log with 51 points from twenty-eight matches.
They will next travel to Katsina to trade tackles with Katsina United in a match day 29 fixture on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
