Rangers target perfect start for NPFL title defense against El-Kanemi Warriors

Reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International, are fully set to kickoff their title defense against President Federation Cup champions, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C of Maiduguri who recently crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup 2024/2025.

The opening day fixture which will happen inside ‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, takes place on Saturday and will be a replica of the title winning match for the Enugu side in the 2015/2016 season where the ‘Antelopes’ flew over the ‘Warriors’ by four un-replied goals in a packed stadium on October 2, 2016.

Having secured the services of some quality legs and hands to take the places of those that departed from the trophy-winning squad, Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu and his trusted lieutenants will be looking to ensure that the new season starts on a flying note.

Captain of the Coal City side, Ugwueze Chinemerem says the team is prepared to kick start the new season on a high.

‘I expect a very tough customer in the form of El-Kanemi but with what we have been doing since our qualification for the second preliminary round of CAF Champions League, I see determination, passion and motivation to get a good result and set us on the right track for a successful title defense.

‘We won the title with a young team and this season; we are campaigning with a much younger team that is highly motivated to repeat the feat of last season.

‘Like I said earlier, it would be a tough encounter due largely to the fact that our opponent was recently eliminated from the continent and would come out to ruffle us, but we are prepared for them and by God’s grace we shall celebrate at the end of the encounter.’

Shot-stopper and one of the deputy-captains of the squad, Opubo Japhet, who had two assists and twelve clean sheets last season, is optimistic of starting their title defense on a bright note.

‘I will say a big thanks to God for the success of last season and for the start of the new season against El-Kanemi Warriors, I am very optimistic going into the match with the caliber of players in our squad. Surely, there are no more underdogs in the game of football hence we expect an open game, but we are going for the maximum points at stake.’