NPFL: Rangers surrender maximum points to Akwa United in Eket

The ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, on Sunday at the Eket Township Stadium, in Eket surrendered all three points at stake to host, Akwa United
F.C as an Ubong Friday’ well-taken penalty kick on 79 minutes was all that was needed to settle the matchday 19, NPFL 2023/2024 encounter.

The Coal City side wriggled some changes to the squad that defeated Gombe United last week and it was total dominance for the Enugu side who created a lot of
opportunities but fond goalkeeper, Jean Efala, a hard nut to crack.

Chidiebere Nwobodo, Isaac Saviour, Chukwudi Nwaodu all had opportunities to put the visitors ahead in the first half but their efforts failed to trouble the
shot-stopper, especially in the 40th minute when Nwobodo drilled in a shot that was headed for the top left corner after dribbling past three markers but the
goalkeeper produced a stunning save as he parried the shot out for a corner kick.

At the start of the second stanza, an injury-induced substitution saw Ifeanyi Onyebuchi exit the pitch for David Chimezie. In contrast, a further triple
substitution saw Chukwudi Nwaodu, Isaac Saviour, and Ifeanyi Ogba make way for Kazeem Ogunleye, Naziru Auwalu, and Godwin Obaje at the hour mark, and the
host was further pushed back into their defensive shell with Nwobodo and Kazeem probing for openings that also came in leaps and bounds but were not taken.

On 76 minutes, a ball from the left flank found its way into the visitors’ vital area. The referee spotted an infringement and awarded a penalty kick that
was neatly converted by Friday Ubong on 79 minutes and sent the home crowd into wild celebrations.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, after the loss, said, ‘This is the game of football and anything is bound to happen. In the game of football, taking your chances
matters a lot. We created over half a dozen chances but failed to take them and in the end, we got punished by the penalty call.

‘We need to return home and right the wrongs we noticed in this game as we prepare for our outstanding match against Rivers United on Wednesday, January 24,
2024. We believe that we will get it right to begin the second on a good note.’

Rangers will next play Rivers United in a re-arranged matchday 11 fixture on January 24, 2024, inside the main bowl of Nnamdi