NPFL: Rangers set unwanted record as they lose to Enyimba for the first time since 2022!
For the first time since October 2022, Rangers international of Enugu failed to take any point from their oriental brothers, Enyimba international who came from Aba, saw and conquered at the Nnamdi Azikwe stadium in Enugu.
The opening stanza saw the Aba side, against the run of play, capitalize on a free kick that somehow evaded Rangers’ solid wall and nestled into the net on 20 minutes, courtesy of Innocent Gabriel.
Just six minutes later, a momentary lapse in concentration at the back allowed Ekene Awazie to double their lead.
The introduction of Timothy Atamamwan and the electrifying Chiedozie Okorie in the second half ignited a fire in Coal City outfit that the Enyimba defense could barely contain.
The stadium erupted in a thunderous roar on 66 minutes when the tireless Isaac Saviour delivered a pin-point free kick, finding the head of substitute Chiedozie at the far post. The deficit was halved, and the momentum had decisively swung in favor of the Coal City Warriors.
Rangers could not find the equalizer despite their relentless attack on the defense of their visitors.
The results means Rangers have now lost six games at home in the 2024/25 NPFL – one more than relegated Lobi Stars (5) and the worst in the season.
They have also conceded 16 goals at home . Only Lobi Stars (19) have conceded more this season.
Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, says the better team lost.
‘It was not the result we wanted, but football showed itself again today. We had a bad first half where we let in two goals but came back stronger in the second stanza, got a goal back but failed to convert more chances that were created. It’s a painful loss, and we grieve over the loss.’
