Rangers coach, Ilechukwu happy with point gained at Enyimba

Enugu Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu says he and his boys are unhappy with the point gained in their 1-1 draw at Enyimba albeit the Flying Antelopes could have won their first win on the road this season but for goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke who produced a masterclass save to deny the visitors.

‘It was a good game that we could have won but we are happy with the one point we got against a top side like Enyimba who competed on the continent this season.

‘We did not have a good first half but when we made changes in the second half, we pushed them back and could have grabbed the winning goal in the very last minute of the encounter but their goalkeeper made a good save.

‘We continue working on the team till we get the right mix to help us achieve our targets this season.’

The host scored first on 12 off a Chijioke Mbaoma’ blistering header as he connected with a Chidiebere Nnachi’ deflected cross.

On resumption of the second stanza, Godwin Obaje was introduced into the match and the tide changed in the favour of the visitors as the coach Finidi George’ wards were pushed back to contain the onslaught from the Enugu boys.

Opportunities came the way of Chidiebere Nwobodo and Agu Kenechukwu to level scores but Olorunleke proved his mettle as he punched and parried goal bound shots but he could do little to stop substitute, Kazeem Ogunleye’ sublime strike from nestling in the net on 87 minutes for the much needed equalizer.

With the result, Rangers now has 19 points from 14 matches and will next play oldest rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in a re-arranged matchday 16 encounter slated for December 28, 2023.