NPFL: Remo Stars, Rangers Settle For Goalless Draw

NPFL: Remo Stars, Rangers Settle For Goalless Draw By Admin Players of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C had to dig deep into their reservoir of talent to ward off a rampaging, Remo Stars F.C of Remo kingdom to cart away a precious point from the three available after a nail bitting goalless draw in a re-scheduled NPFL encounter at the bumpy Gateway International stadium, Sagamu. Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote wards who had put five past the Kennedy Boboye's tutored side at the weekend in Enugu struggled to get into their grove in this fixture as lone attacker, Ifeanyi George was starved of supplies from the middle of the pack. The Remo boys led by impressive Victor Mbaoma ably assisted by Solomon John and Dare Shokunbi from the flanks were a constant threat to Rangers back line anchored around Isiaka Oladuntoye and Akpos Adubi who worked extra hard to snuff out dangers. Bright Silas and the traveling team of Rangers supporters, coaches and management crew went up in wild celebration on 28 minute after the pint sized winger reacted the quickest to stab home an Ifeanyi George’ sublime free kick the rebounded off the upright but the assistant referee ruled his effort offside. Attempts at both end of the goals were few but the host enjoyed a large percentage of possession of the ball while the visitors who found the bumpy pitch hard to contend with, resorted to careful clearances. As the game approached its climax, it became nervy for the visitors as the host recorded three goal scoring opportunities in quick successions but it all went over the bar to hand Rangers a precious point on the road. Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote of Rangers said at the post match, “It was a very difficult match for us but we thank God for the result we were able to achieve. For me, I believe that it was two points dropped on one hand and one point gained on the other. The pitch was very difficult for my players and we had to resort to the wisest option to get a result. We continue our challenge and push for a top three finish.” Emmanuel Fabiyi, goalkeeper of Remo Stars who shipped in five goals in the reverse fixture said, “I feel so happy with the result. This was a nice game we played today with a lot of determination to win but we met a quality side and they showed character to contain us. They had the grace of God on them in the first leg and punished us which could have been worse but for some of my saves. We go back and work harder to search for points on the road to steady our push for survival. Rangers maintain its third position on the group A log with sixteen points from seven matches and will at the weekend take on Niger Tornadoes at the Bako Kotangora stadium, Minna in a match day 13 fixture. RANGERS SQUAD: Nana Bonsu, Tope Olusesi, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Tony Shimaga, Solomon Okpako, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Bright Silas, Akpos Adubi, Ugwuoke Ugochukwu (Kelvin Itoya – 54th min.), Ifeanyi George (Chidera Ezeh -80th min.), Godwin Aguda. SUBS NOT USED: Saidu Mutawakilu, West Omodu, Issif Traore, Seka Pascal, Okey Odita.