By Ikenna Nwokedi
Rangers International secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kwara United in their EUROMATCH Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 12 encounter played on Sunday at the Awka Township Stadium.
The Flying Antelopes started on the front foot and should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Pius Igwe scuffed his effort wide from a promising position inside the box after being teed up by Godwin Obaje from a swift counter-attack. The diminutive forward went for power instead of precision.
Rangers continued to ask all the questions in the early exchanges and came close again in the 22nd minute when overlapping right full-back, Enoh Uwana, saw his belter ricochet off Kwara United goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso, onto the post before going out for a corner with the resulting set-piece poorly utilised.
Against the run of play, Kwara United threatened in the 28th minute when Benjamin Jack was played through by Mighty Yikat after Folarin Temitope lost his footing in midfield. Jack’s effort, however, lacked power and was comfortably saved by Rangers goalkeeper, Lucky Jimoh.
The breakthrough finally came five minutes before half-time. Victor Chimezie finished brilliantly from a tight angle, rifling his effort into the roof of the net beyond Ayeleso, after being assisted by Pius Igwe, to give Rangers a deserved 1-0 lead at the break.
Rangers made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute, introducing Solomon Ebo, Adebayo Waheed and James Emo for Godwin Obaje, Pius Igwe and goalscorer Victor Chimezie respectively.
Kwara United thought they had restored parity in the 78th minute when Alex Jerry found the net, but the goal was ruled out after the second assistant referee spotted an infringement and raised his flag.
The Harmony Boys piled on the pressure in the dying stages of the game in search of an equaliser, but the Flying Antelopes held firm to claim all three points.
Speaking after the match, Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, expressed delight with the victory, describing it as a tough encounter.
Ilechukwu revealed that the Flying Antelopes had to prepare very well for the game because they had not beaten Kwara United in the past two seasons.
He also thanked the fans for their immense support throughout, from Owerri to Abeokuta and now Awka, promising that the team will continue to give their best in subsequent games.
”It was a tough match. We had to prepare very well because we have not beaten Kwara United in the past two seasons. I want to thank our fans for their immense support from Owerri, Abeokuta and here in Awka. We will continue to perform in our subsequent games.” Ilechukwu said.