No Need To Panic Over Rangers' Pre-Season Result - Ilechukwu Assures Fans

No Need To Panic Over Rangers' Pre-Season Result - Ilechukwu Assures Fans

Precious Oham

Fidelis Ilechukwu has assured fans of Rangers International not to panic over the team's result in a pre-season friendly, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The reigning Nigeria League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Sierra Leone side, FC Kallon in the second match of the 2024 Coal City Int’L Cup preseason tournament in a cold night at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Sunday.

Garando Tekena had shot the Flying Antelopes into a 10th-minute lead with a follow-up fiercely struck left-footed shot from about twenty-five meters after Isaac Caulker, the goalkeeper for F.C Kallon had bravely stopped his first attempt from a free kick.

Momoh Dumbuya got the leveler for his side in a swift counter-attack that saw Fofanah slide the ball past a hesitant backline of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ for Dumbuya to slide past on rushing, Lucky Abdullahi, who stood between the sticks for Rangers on 50 minutes.

Ilechukwu, in his post-match chat, said, "It was not a bad game for both sides. F.C. Kallon was a very physical side but we showed good character, especially in the second half, and having so many new players in my team as well as the understanding of the team is what matters to me. 

"Our fans should not panic about the result because it is a preseason game. If we don’t use the preseason game to assess the team’s cohesion, technical, and tactical abilities, it may not be possible during the season proper. I assure our fans that we shall achieve all we want in the season because we have what it takes to do so."

Rangers will be engaging Remo Stars in one of the semi-final matches slated for Monday, August 5, 2024, after Shooting Stars Sports Club would have played F.C Kallon in the first semi-final of the preseason tournament.