The Flying Antelopes, Rangers International F.C, had their fine start and three-match unbeaten run stopped by Lobi Stars F.C, who inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the Enugu side with goals on either half to cancel out the solitary goal of the visiting side at the Lafia City Stadium.
Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu retained the squad that demolished Kano Pillars 4-1 over the weekend except for Kazeem Ogunleye, who started from the bench. It was the host, tutored by Eugene Agagbe, that settled faster into their strides, with Amodu Liman, Adebayo Waheed, Alao Danbani, and Samuel Tiza pushing the Enugu side into its defensive shell.
In one of such corner-kicks, Alao Danbani was left unmarked and he connected home a Solomon Kwambe’s well-taken kick on 23 minutes to send the fans into wild jubilation. The setback jolted the visiting side into life, as Isaac Saviour, Ejike Ugochukwu, Godwin Obaje, and Chukwudi Nwaodu pushed for an immediate reply, which did not come even when Obaje reacted the quickest to stab home a rebound after Lucky Abdullahi failed to deal with a Chidiebere Nwobodo’ fierce shot on 34 minutes, but the goal was ruled offside.
Chidiebere Nwobodo restored parity at the hour mark after he was set up by Isaac Saviour, but with eight minutes to the end of the encounter, substitute Stanley Ogabor scored what turned out to be the match winner, as he jabbed home a Monday Akile’ inch-perfect cross.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu described the encounter as a great celebration for the Nigerian league, stressing, “It was a very good game that we could have come out with at least a point. Our opponent showed top quality to contain us. We have to go back and prepare for our next game and give it all we have to ensure that our supporters smile at the end of the match.”
Also speaking, coach Eugene Agagbe of Lobi Stars, said, “I have to thank and congratulate my players for making it happen for us against a quality side like Rangers. They gave us a very good match, but for the tactics deployed to contain them from the bench, it would have been a different song we are singing now.”
Rangers will at the weekend trade tackles with Oriental neighbors, Heartland, in a M.D 7 fixture at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
