Startimes/NPFL: Rangers Will Approach Sporting Lagos Clash As Cup Final - Ilechukwu

Startimes/NPFL: Rangers Will Approach Sporting Lagos Clash As Cup Final - Ilechukwu

Precious Oham

Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International has said that they will approach the Match Day 34 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, encounter with Sporting Lagos as a cup final, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

NPFL table-topping side and seven-time Nigeria league champions, Rangers Int'l will be flying into Lagos via a commercial airline for this weekend’s fixture against Sporting Lagos. 

The Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan Stadium, Lagos) would be the venue for the encounter that will see the coach Abdullahi Biffo-led side fight the fight of their lives to contain a side in the form of Rangers Int'l on Sunday, June 2, 2024, with kickoff fixed for 4:00 pm. It will be live on the league’s broadcast right holder, StarTimes.

Ilechukwu who cut his coaching teeth in Lagos with many grassroots teams as well as M.F.M F.C. whom he led from the lower league to the top league and won a spot to represent the country at the continental scene, is positively going into this fixture.

"We expect a good game from Sporting Lagos but we are very positive of the outcome. We are not by any means underrating our opponent as no team in the top league is a push-over. We respect Sporting especially under their new coach, Biffo, whom I respect very much.

"We shall approach the match as a cup final believing that our efforts on the pitch will give us the positive result we expect at the end of the encounter."

In the reverse fixture at the Awka City Stadium, on December 17, 2023, it ended 2-0 for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ with goals from Austin Onyemaechi and Agu Kenechukwu on 9 and 89 minutes (penalty) with Junior Lokosa, Jonathan Alukwu, Vincent Akpikpi, Godwin Udoh, and Chinedu Ufere distinguishing themselves for the Lagos side.

Rangers’ leading goal scorer, Godwin Obaje, who grabbed a brace in his last match is full of optimism going into this fixture.

"I thank God for all He has been doing for our team this season and I believe that we have all it takes to get a good result against Sporting Lagos. It will be a tough encounter as no team is small in the premiership but the unity in the team will see us through this fixture."