NPFL reigning champions, Rangers International F.C secured another valuable point on the road as the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side extended its unbeaten run to ten matches with a hard-fought goalless draw against home side, Katsina United inside the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, in a match day 17, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture.
The ‘Flying Antelopes’ were led by chief-coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, who kept faith with the last match day squad bar one player, with Godwin Obaje and Frank Uwumiro leading the attack and goalkeeper, Lucky Abdullahi standing between the sticks.
The first period saw a balance of play, especially in the middle of the pack, where Hillary Ekawu, Chinemerem Ugwueze, Ejike Ugochukwu, and Kenechukwu Agu held sway for the visitors against Azeez Falolu, Usman Bara’U, Destiny Godwin, and Emmanuel Okoro for the host.
Frank Uwumiro had the brightest opportunity in the first period when he dribbled his way past a sea of tackling legs but was hacked down by the goalkeeper of Katsina United on the edge of the box on 26 minutes, sending some relief to the home fans that came out in their numbers for the encounter.
In the second period of the encounter, the home side upped their game with Moses Effiong, Boslam Dawi, and Destiny Ashadi pulling the strings, but they found the backline of Rangers, anchored around Austin Opara, Ikenna Stephen, Evans Ogbonda, and Effimi Nsi, too hard a nut to crack.
Godwin Obaje and substitute, Kingsley Maduforo, were presented opportunities to wrap the game for the defending league champions on 50 and 70 minutes, as Kolimba produced spectacular saves to keep the home side in the game, while at the other end of the pitch, Lucky Abdullahi was at his best to deny Moses Effiong and Azeez Falolu promising chances.
In a post-match interview, coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu praised his team’s resilience, saying, “It was a great game that could have gone either way, and I give my players credit for holding out to earn this result. We actually came to Katsina to earn a win, but we are happy with the one point that we are taking back to Enugu. We just go back and work hard for our coming game against old rivals, 3SC. I call on our fans to keep supporting and believing in the team as we shall make them proud at the end of the season.”
With the result, Rangers maintain their 3rd position on the twenty-team log with 28 points from seventeen matches.
By Rangers International F.C Media Team