Rangers International F.C continued its fine form on the road in the 2021/2022 NPFL season as the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored side earned a valuable goalless draw in a match day 9 fixture against Dakkada F.C inside the main bowl of S.O. Ogbemudia stadium, Benin City.
The ‘Flying Antelopes’ were the quicker off the block as the referee signaled the start of hostilities with the trio of Ikechukwu Eboko, Christian Nnaji and Kenechukwu Agu leading the onslaught but goalkeeper, Thomas Omokhude proved his worth between the sticks for the host.
Omokhude was alive to his duties on 37 and 40 minutes of the game to push out Samuel Pam’ long-range effort and clutched Christian Nnaji’ connecting header on second attempt of a Kenechukwu Agu’ well-taken corner kick as both sides retired into the dressing room on equal terms after the first half.
In the second stanza, the visitors continued the search for goals as opportunities came the way of Ikechukwu Eboko and substitute, Chidiebere Nwobodo on 55 and 69 minutes of action but could not be converted.
The introduction of FIFA World cup star and AFCON 2013 winner, Ejike Uzoenyi at the hour mark by coach Maikaba brought more urgency to the play of the visitors but despite doing everything needed to be done on the pitch the goals refused to come as the backline of the host led by Boniface Nwaeze and Karim Abdoulaye stood their ground just as David Enobong showed some threats going forward for the coach Umar Danlami side.
Coach Mbwas Mangut of Rangers said after the encounter, “This was a game we started a little bit slow but later come into our game plan but the Dakkada side have been sitting back deep to soak up all that we threw at them. I think the one point we got is good even though, what we planned was to come and get the maximum points at stake. We move on to the next game.”
With the result, Rangers now occupy the third spot of the log with sixteen points from nine matches executed behind the duo of Rivers United and Remo Stars who occupy the first and second spot with nineteen points apiece while Rangers’ next opponent will be Plateau United on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the F.C Ifeanyiubah stadium, Nnewi.
RANGERS TEAM: Bamidele Adeniyi, Tope Olusesi (Ifeanyi Nweke -36th Min.), Bala Akintunde, Christian Madu, Ernest Governor, Olawale Doyeni, Samuel Pam, Kenechukwu Agu (Seidu Adamu -79th Min.), Christian Nnaji (Elijah Ani -79th Min.), Ikechukwu Eboko (Ejike Uzoenyi -59th Min.), Shedrack Asiegbu (Chidiebere Nwobodo -59th Min). SUBS NOT USED: Seidu Mutawakilu, Emeka Obiora, David Chimezie, Ebuka Anthony.
