NPFL: Maikaba blames wasteful strikers for dropping valuable points vs Lobi Stars 

“We have to blame ourselves for this result. In a game we created over ten goal-scoring opportunities and scored only one

NPFL: Maikaba blames wasteful strikers for dropping valuable points vs Lobi Stars 

By Olusola Adebayo

Profligacy in front of the opponent’s goal and some great saves from a former player, combined to ensure that the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C dropped points at home against Lobi Stars in a match day 12, NPFL 2022/2023 Abridge season, Group B fixture in Awka, Sunday, as the encounter ended 1-1.

Coach Abdul Maikaba handed first-time starting places to the troika of Osayande Austin, Esor Achibong, and Kingsley Maduforo as he kept faith with eight that started in Umuahia, midweek.

It was not a disappointing start as it was total dominance for the Enugu side in the first quarter-hour of the encounter but there was no goal for their efforts.

The catalog of missed opportunities started counting as early as the second minute of play when goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel made himself big to deny Chinecherem Ugwueze from close range with further saves on 9, 15, 18, 24, 30, 38, and 41 minutes to deny Chidiebere Nwobodo, Esor Achibong, and Kingsley Maduforo while the visitors had one glorious attempt on 35 minutes but Emeka Nwabulu well saved Umar Abba’s shot.

When the second half resumed, the visitors introduced the duo of former Rangers players, Orji Kalu and Elijah Ani which to a large extent stabilized their team in one moment of brilliance, Elijah was allowed much space by the host’s backline to plant a connecting header for the opening goal of the fixture at the hour mark of an inch-perfect cross from Washima Pine.

Rangers’ technical bench brought in the duo of Ejike Uzoenyi and Reuben Bala a few minutes later to push the visitors back into their defensive shell and on 72 minutes, Godwin Obaje restored parity as he stabbed home a Chinemerem Ugwueze’s flick-on off a Chidera Ezeh’s corner kick.

Efforts to find the winning goal failed to materialize as the visitors retreated and defended in droves to take home a share of the spoils.

Coach Abdul Maikaba in a post-match chat said, “We have to blame ourselves for this result. In a ga, we created over ten goal-scoring opportunities and scored only one while the opponent created one and scored from it. It is our problem but we are working seriously to see that we rectify all these issues. We can continue to fight from this result and continue to improve in coming games to ensure that we move up on the log.”

Rangers remain on the 7th spot of the Group B log with 13 points and will next trade tackles with Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday, April 9, 2023.