Rangers and F.C Kallon share the spoils in pre-season tourney

Rangers International F.C, the reigning Nigeria League champions, were held to a 1-1 draw by Sierra Leone side, F.C Kallon in the second match of the 042 Coal City Int’L Cup preseason tournament in a cold night at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Sunday.

Garando Tekena had shot the ‘Flying Antelopes’ into a 10th-minute lead with a follow-up fiercely struck left-footed shot from about twenty-five meters after Isaac Caulker, the goalkeeper for F.C Kallon had bravely stopped his first attempt from a free kick.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu lined up six new players in the encounter handing starts to the likes of Evans Ogbonda, Effimi Nsi, Hillary Ekawu, Bashir Usman, Lucky Abdullahi, and Garando Tekena. They blended well with the established stars of the side to repel the ceaseless raids of the side coached by former Sierra Leone skipper, Mohamed Kallon with Saidu Fofanah leading the squad.

Rangers would have scored more goals before the end of the first half while the opponent also created their chances but failed to convert.

Momoh Dumbuya, however, got the leveler for his side in a swift counter-attack that saw Fofanah slide the ball past a hesitant backline of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ for Dumbuya to slide past on rushing, Lucky Abdullahi, who stood between the sticks for Rangers on 50 minutes.

The introduction of Williams Wonah, Edeh Kelechi, Kenechukwu Agu, Obinna Idika, and Anayor Ogbonna by coach Ilechukwu ensured that the Coal City side pushed for the winning goal which failed to materialize not for lack of opportunities but for the superlative saves from Caulker who had to punch, blocked, and parried all that was thrown at him as the referee called a halt to hostilities.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in his post-match chat, said, ‘It was not a bad game for both sides. F.C. Kallon was a very physical side but we showed good character, especially in the second half, and having so many new players in my team as well as the understanding of the team is what matters to me.

‘Our fans should not panic about the result because it is a preseason game. If we don’t use the preseason game to assess the team’s cohesion, technical, and tactical abilities, it may not be possible during the season proper. I assure our fans that we shall achieve all we want in the season because we have what it takes to do so.’

Rangers will be engaging Remo Stars in one of the semi-final matches slated for Monday, August 5, 2024, after Shooting Stars Sports Club would have played F.C Kallon in the first semi-final of the preseason tournament.