Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, is optimistic of leading his team to a respectable finish in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as the season’s second round gets underway this weekend.
Ilechukwu believes he has brought in reinforcement to help the Flying Antelopes in the business end of the campaign in which they occupy eighth place on the log.
The former Plateau United coach is also eyeing a perfect start to the second round when his team play hosts to Akwa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Sunday.
“I think we have done well in the market. We have brought in a few new quality players knowing fully that the second round of the league would be very tasking. Management has also done marvelously well in preparing for the second round. What is very important for us now is a perfect start with a win against Akwa United in the opening match of the second stanza. It is a crucial game for us.
“We are taking each game at a time with the strong belief that we shall get a positive result. We also appreciate the fact that we currently occupy the 8th spot on the log with eight points below the table-topping side. Surely, eight points is a very big gap which is very difficult to overcome but can also be easy to get and we are prepared to give our all to ensure we end the season on a positive note. We are very optimistic about what we can achieve,” Ilechukwu told Rangers media.
In the mid-season transfer window, the seven-time Nigerian champions have bolstered their squad with the arrivals of Uche Ezeala, Joshua Odoh, Kingsley Nebo, Muhammed Rabiu Zulkifilu, Kelechi Ogbodo and Michael Aniji.
One of the new additions, Zulkifilu, is already eyeing a winning start if he gets the nod against Akwa United this Sunday.
“On Sunday, I believe we shall all sing and dance at the end of the encounter,” he said. “We are strong, united and determined set willing to give our all in every game to ensure we achieve our set target for the season.”