By Nicholas Obisike
Rangers International FC of Enugu on Wednesday defeated FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi 2-1 in Enugu to climb to second spot on the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers moved up behind Rivers United of Port Harcourt after four matches played in the competition.
They are level on nine points with Rivers United, but they have an inferior goal difference of two.
Rangers started the match on a good note by forcing FC IfeanyiUbah’s goalkeeper Sharp Uzoigwe to make two quick saves.
Israel Abia put the home team in front in the 12th minute from a penalty kick and Ekene Awazie drew the visiting side level in the 51st minute.
Shedrack Asoegbu made it 2-1 for Rangers in the 56th minute with what turned out to be the match-winning goal.
Speaking after the match, the Rangers’ Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, praised the players for adhering to instructions.
Yusuf acknowledged that the visitors gave his players a tough time and made the game difficult for his players.
“FC IfeanyiUbah came at us with determination, but we were able to subdue them because the players needed the points to be in a better position on the log.”
The coach gave credit to the visiting team’s goalkeeper, saying that he was his team’s main competitor on the day.
FC IfeanyiUbah’s coach, Uche Okagbue, on his part said his team fought like wounded lions but lost concentration after they equalised.
The coach however said he was beginning to be worried of his team’s failure to win any match so far in the ongoing league.
“We changed tactics after the first 45 minutes and that was what fetched us the equalising goal.
“Had it been that we beat Rangers, the players would have regained confidence for our forthcoming matches.
“As it stands now, we are going home to work more on our playing tactics to ensure we turn the situation around,” he said.
