Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on Sunday secured their first win of the 2025/26 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season, defeating Plateau United FC of Jos 2-0 in a week three encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The game started cautiously, with both sides struggling to dominate in the early stages. Rangers, however, gradually imposed themselves on the match, with captain Chidiebere Nwobodo, left full-back Kenneth Igboke, and veteran forward Godwin Obaje constantly pressing the Plateau defence. Despite their dominance, the Flying Antelopes were let down by poor finishing, while the visitors’ goalkeeper made several brave saves to keep the scoreline goalless.
The breakthrough eventually came on the stroke of half-time when Igboke was fouled just outside the 18-yard box. From the resultant free-kick, Kenechukwu Agu delivered a well-taken effort that was calmly converted by Chiedozie Iwundu to hand Rangers a 1-0 lead going into the interval.
On resumption of the second half, Rangers resumed hostilities and created several chances but failed to convert them. Their persistence paid off in the dying minutes of the game when Nwobodo capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to score the second goal, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Enugu side.
Speaking at the post-match conference, Plateau United coach Olusola Adugun admitted the defeat was disappointing but remained optimistic.
“This result is one of our worst so far. But for me, I take the positives; the team played well, but luck was not on our side. Sometimes, early in the season, players are not at their best. For sure, we will bounce back,” he said.
Rangers’ head coach, Ekene Ekenedilichukwu, expressed delight at his team’s resilience and their first three points of the campaign.
“The team is a work in progress, but I’m happy we got our first win. No team is perfect; we will continue to improve with subsequent matches,” he said.
By Obinna A. Okpara