Rangers Edge Past Enyimba In Pre-season Friendly

Rangers Edge Past Enyimba In Pre-season Friendly

Precious Oham

Rangers International edged past Oriental Derby rivals Enyimba FC in the opening match of the 042 Coal City Int’L Cup preseason tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.            

An Agu Kenechukwu’s left-footed shot taken inside the box off Okorie Chiedozie’s intelligent cut-back as he ran unto Isaac Saviour’s defence-splitting pass on 51 minutes of play turned out to be the match-winner for the reigning NPFL champions.

‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was the perfect setting for this epic soccer show as the two most decorated clubs in the country battled for bragging rights on a cold Thursday night in Coal City.

Chiedozie Okorie was at his element and a handful for the backline of the Aba Boys but was not too lucky with hitting the bullseye when the opportunities came his way, as was in the 6th minute when he was set up by diminutive Isaac Saviour.

The ‘Aba Elephants’ reacted well to this early threat as they poured forward in their numbers, creating chances of their own but Rangers shot stopper, Japhet Opubo was at his best to beat out a Joseph Atule’ screamer on 12 minutes while Ufere Chinedu’ effort on 23 minutes was ruled out for offside after he was set up by Uwana Asuquo.

Fidelis Ilechukwu handed starts to new boy and former Enyimba defender, Macben Otika who paired with Charles Okafor in the heart of the defence for Rangers while regular suspects like Super Eagles player, Kenneth Igboke and Joel Odoh held sway as wing-backs with Ejike Ugochukwu saddled with his defensive midfield role in a 4-3-3 formation with former Heartland’ hitman, Okafor Onyekachi leading the assault upfront.

Rangers will play Sierra Leone side, F.C Kallon on Sunday, August 4, 2024, in another night fixture inside Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.