NPFL: Rangers return to winning ways with first away win since September
Reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C bounced back to winning ways with a 0-1 win at the Bako Kotangora Memorial Stadium, Minna against their host, Niger Tornadoes.
Home boy, Bashir Usman’ was the hero of the day for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ as he expertly tucked away a 34th minute effort after some neat interchange of passes between him and Silas Nenrot tore open the backline of the home side and goalkeeper, Yusuf Mohammed, had no answer to the fiercely struck shot from inside the box.
The home side had their chances to draw level before the break but goalkeeper, Lucky Abdullahi, was at his best to deny the chances from resting inside the net.
In the second half of the encounter, coach Ekenedilichukwu had to introduce Frank Uwumiro for injured Bashir and Rangers’ attempts upfront increased with Uwumiro combining well with Godwin Obaje , Kingsley Maduforo and Hillary Ekawu but tried as much as they did, the home side soaked up all that was thrown at them while the visitor’s backline, led by Austin Opara and Ikenna Stephen stood out tall to cut off all incursion thrown at them.
As the encounter was drawing to its finish line, a glorious opportunity was presented to substitute, Okorie Chiedozie to increase the advantage for his side, but he missed with substitute, goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo, at his mercy to send loud sighs of relief from the capacity filled stands of the stadium.
With the win, Rangers ends the first stanza of the 2024/2025 NPFL season with 31 points from nineteen matches winning eight matches, seven draws, and four losses to occupy the 4th spot on the twenty team log.
In his post match chat, coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu said, ‘It was a great match and a good result for us knowing fully that we lost our last home game to 3SC. We came here like wounded lions with a target of getting a positive result which came in the form of a win. Niger Tornadoes showed great stuff today against us but my players were determined to get the result. I thank the fans for their support while the game lasted.’
Goal scorer, Bashir Usman, who was overjoyed by the result of the encounter against his former team, could only say, ‘I really can’t comment on the result of the match but I am happy we won the match.’
