February, 16 2024.
Technical Adviser of Rangers Int'l FC of Enugu, Fidelis Ilechukwu has assured fans of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Champions, of marked improved performances and results, from the the seven-time League Champions.
Speaking to a section of Sportswriters in Enugu, ahead of the recommencement of the league, for the second and conclusive round, of the 2023/24 NPFL season, Ilechukwu said he and the club's hierarchy, led by its General Manager/CEO, Barrister Amobi Ezeaku have worked assiduously to ensure that they addressed a few areas where the team has been a bit deficient, with a view to giving the squad a better balanced, for the enormous task ahead.
Ilechukwu said the concesus is for Rangers to finish the season, in a respectable position, and with the club granting his desire to beef-up the squad, after seeing to their relocation from Awka Township Stadium, to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium aka the Cathedral; it is now left for him and the players to deliver the goods on the pitch, by winning games.
During the extended mid-season break, which coincided with the recently concluded 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Ilechukwu said five players were brought in, to fine tune the quality of the squad, and make the Flying Antelopes, more competitive; as they chase one of the four tickets, to play in next season's CAF Inter-Club Championships.
The players that joined Rangers are; central defender Uchenna Ezeala, who joined from 3SC of Ibadan; Zulkifilu Mohammed Rabiu, a support striker who last played for table topping Lobi Stars; top striker Odo Joseph, who last featured in the Saudi Premier League; as well as the pair of Aniji Ifeanyichukwu Michael (attacking midfielder) and Nebo Tochukwu Kingsley (left-winger) who joined from non-league clubs based in Enugu.
Ilechukwu, a former Coach of the former MFM FC of Lagos, Heartland FC of Owerri, and Plateau United of Jos; acknowledged that Rangers are currently in the 8th spot on the log with 28 points, 8 points adrift of the pace-setters, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi; but was quick to add a that the club is now better equipped to ensure that they meticulously earn the needed points, on the road and at home to be able to narrow the very big gap, and eventually finish the season strongly.
"We are optimistic about what we can achieve, Ilechukwu asserted. "But we will have to take each game, at a time and as it comes, with the strong belief that our effort on pitches, will get for us the desired positive results". he added.
Rangers will resume for the second stanza of the league, with a Day 20 encounter against at home to visiting Akwa United FC of Uyo, at the relayed turf of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, aka ‘The Cathedral’ with kick-off slated for 4:00 pm on Sunday.
The Promise Keepers ran away with a lone goal victory, when both sides met earlier in the season, and that goal was courtesy of Ubong Friday who netted the winner, 11 minutes from time, at the Eket Stadium; www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
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