NPFL 25: Oriental Derby Victory Delights Ilechukwu

NPFL 25: Oriental Derby Victory Delights Ilechukwu

Precious Oham 

Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International said he is delighted to get the better of Abia Warriors in the Oriental Derby, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Kazeem Ogunleye’s thunder-bolt of a free-kick from over 25 yards in 59 minute earned the reigning NPFL champions the full marks in a Matchday 5, 2024/2025 NPFL fixture against Abia Warriors inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. Six minutes into the second stanza, the home fans and bench went into a celebration mood after Chiedozie Okorie connected with a diving header and Evans Ogbonda’s cross after some neat interchange of passes saw Nenrot release the left-back, but the celebrations were cut short as the effort was chopped off for a possible offside play. Eight minutes later, there was no stopping the fans from going on wild jubilations as Ogunleye exquisitely fired an unstoppable free-kick past the hands of Ali Ishaku from over 25 yards after a goal-bound Effimi Nsi was fouled. Efforts by the home side to get more goals or for the visitors to draw level failed to yield more goals as the goalkeepers on each end showed quality to ensure the match failed to record more goals. Ilechukwu said in a post-match chat, “It was a big game and our performance today shows that our team have started coming up. I know that Abia Warriors prepared very well for this game and I am happy we won the match. "Coach Imama Amapakabo is a top coach with a good mentality, and this we saw today in his team’s play, but we had our gameplay, and it worked very well, though we could have scored a couple of more goals. We need to build on this win going forward." Rangers’ with the win now have 10 points from five matches and will next play Sunshine Stars in a Matchday 6 fixture at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.