Enugu Rangers International F.C., also known as the Flying Antelopes, got off to a flying start in their campaign to reclaim the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) trophy they last won in the 2015/2016 season with a commanding 2-1 win over visiting Doma United at the Awka City Stadium on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
The M.D 1 fixture of the 2023/2024 NPFL season saw the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side take the battle to the Doma United half as soon as the arbiter signaled the start of hostilities but met with a dogged defense line led by Haruna Aliyu.
When the forward line of Rangers ably led by Godwin Obaje was able to break through the well knitted backline of Doma United, there was an agile shot stopper, Kingdom Osayi, who did well between the sticks to beat out almost all that was targeted at his goal.
However, two quick goals in a space of four minutes off the boots of Kalu Nweke and Austin Onyemaechi on 29 and 33 minutes of the highly contested encounter ensured that the home side’s dominance counted even when over half a dozen goal scoring opportunities were created while Japhet Opubo was alive to his duties to stop a few decent chances that came the way of the visitors.
The visitors raised their game early in the second half threatening the rearguard of Rangers but the backline anchored by the duo of David Chimezie and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi in the heart of the defense, rebuffed all that was thrown at it but could not stop Bidemi Owoku from reducing the deficit for the visitors on 75 minutes.
Opportunities came and went for the Enugu side to further punish the coach Akinade Onigbinde tutored side with the likes of enterprising Chidiebere Nwobodo, Jonas Emmanuel, Ifeanyi Ogba, and Isaac Saviour missing seaters.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu in his post-match chat said, “It was a good match, a great result that could have been better if we had converted most of the chances we created. Missing those opportunities makes me sad on one side but with the three points in the kitty, I am happy for a winning start. We now have to work more on our conversion ratio going forward. Doma United gave us a good fight and will be a difficult customer in the league.”
Kalu Nweke who scored the season’s opening goal for Rangers said, “I am really happy with the winning start we had today in the league and for my goal, It is for the entire team as we worked together for it. I am sure we will get better as the season progress.”
Rangers will next trade tackles with Remo Stars F.C of Ikenne, Ogun State, in a match day two, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.