NPFL: How Rangers overcame Nasarawa United in Nnewi
The pep talks from coach Abdul Maikaba led crew did work wonders in the second stanza
Christian Nnaji of Rangers International F.C continued his fine goalscoring form, Thursday as his fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box in the 62nd minute handed the ‘Flying Antelopes’ the maximum points in a matchday 13, NPFL 2021/2022 fixture against Nasarawa United F.C of Lafia.
The encounter which took place inside F.C Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, Nnewi saw both sides cancel themselves out in the first stanza that had little to cheer except for a 27th minutes reactionary save from Seidu Mutawakilu to deny Abubakar Abdullahi’ effort and Chidiebere Nwobodo failing to connect a Samuel Pam’ inviting cross on 31 minutes with the opponent’ goalkeeper, well beaten.
The pep talks from the coaching crew of the host led by coach Abdul Maikaba did work wonders as the attacking line of the host sparked to light as the second stanza commenced with Elijah Ani drawing an immediate save from Danlami Umar on 46 minutes.
Elijah Ani and the fans inside the stadium had started celebrating what would have been a contender for the goal of the season on 52 minutes when his canon of a shot from the edge of the box beat the goalkeeper, hit under the crossbar, crossed the goal line and bounced back to play but missed by the eagle eyes of the arbiters.
The pressure continued to mount on the backline of the visitors with Samuel Pam hitting the crossbar twice and Kenechukwu Agu dragging his effort wide on 56, 58 and 60 minutes before Christian Nnaji scored the only goal of the match after stealing a loose ball at the edge of the box to blast home on 62 minutes.
Three more opportunities came the way of Nnaji on 73, 80, and 82 minutes to increase his tally but he failed to make them count as goalkeeper, Umar became wiser just as substitute, Chinonso Eziekwe’ 89th-minute effort was too weak to trouble the experienced shot-stopper.
Coach Mbwas Mangut said after the encounter, “It was a fair result for us as our target was to get the maximum points at stake despite noticed lapses and we are happy with the three points. With the points today, we have moved up a bit on the log and we keep working till we get to our expected target at the beginning of the season.”
Attacking sensation, Elijah Ani, said after the encounter, “It was a good fight from the whole team which started from the coach. It was something we agreed to do before the start of the match and I am very happy that we came out with the three points although I had a disallowed goal, it happens sometimes. We have to keep pushing and we hope to get a better game next time.”
With the victory, Rangers now occupy the 3rd position on the twenty team log with 23 points from thirteen matches played behind Plateau United and Rivers United who are on 27 and 26 points respectively and will be visiting the Adokiye Amiesiameka stadium, Omagba, Port-Harcourt, for a matchday 14 fixture with Rivers United on Sunday, February 20, 2022.
RANGERS SQUAD: Seidu Mutawakilu, Tope Olusesi, Ifeanyi Nweke, Olawale Doyeni, David Chimezie, Kenechukwu Agu (Ejike Uzoenyi -77th Min.), Samuel Pam, Elijah Ani (Chinonso Eziekwe -88th Min.), Chidiebere Nwobodo (Julius Ikechukwu -77th Min.), Christian Nnaji, Christian Madu. SUBS NOT USED: Nana Bonsu, Ernest Governor, Uche John, Daniel Vendaga, Odera Onyeyiri.
GOAL: Christian Nnaji – 62nd Minute.
