NPFL: Rangers seek return to winning ways against Ahmed Musa’s Kano Pillars

Players of the reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C will be looking to redeem their images and put back on track their ambition of a successful title defense with a target for the maximum point at stake in the match day 7, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture against Kano Pillars F.C scheduled for Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

The encounter which is a top of the bill encounter for the match day is to happen on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and will see the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side push the ‘Sai Masu Gida’ side to the wall for the three points at stake.

Both sides lost their games at the weekend with the Enugu side conceding a 1-0 loss to Sunshine Stars while Kano Pillars lost to Akwa United by 2-0 in Uyo which set the tone for an interesting fixture between serial champions and crowd pulling teams in the league.

Coach Godwin Nosike who is leading other lieutenants of the technical adviser, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu who is on national duties with the senior national male football team, Super Eagles, is poised to get one past his opposing number, coach Usman Abdallah who is hitting the Coal City with the legendary, Rabiu Ali, former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa and others.

For coach Nosike, ahead of the fixture, he said, ‘We are set for a great game against a good side with our sights set on snapping the points at stake. We respect every team but don’t fear any as we shall approach the match with zeal and determination to get back on winning ways. Thankfully, some of the players that missed the Ijebu-Ode match have fully recovered and we shall get the result we desire at the end of the match by God’s special grace.’

Also speaking ahead of the expected explosive encounter, right-back, Effimi Nsi, who has been in a sparkling form since breaking into the ‘Flying Antelopes’ squad, said, ‘We are condemned to win against Kano Pillars, and we are motivated to push for the victory that will get us back on the winning track.

‘Our loss at the weekend was a painful one but we are determined to make our fans happy again. Pillars are a good side, but we have what it takes to get the needed result on Wednesday.’

The midweek fixture between eight-time champions, Rangers International and four-time champions, Kano Pillars will kick off by 15:00 hours (3:00 pm) and goals are expected to rain as was the case the last time Rangers hosted Pillars in a match day 5 fixture (28/10/2023) that ended 4-1 in favor of the reigning league champions with Godwin Obaje, Isaac Saviour and Chukwudi Nwaodu scoring the goals.