The reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International F.C stretched its unbeaten run to four matches as the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side earned a hard-fought goalless draw with Plateau United F.C in a match day 11, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture inside Jos International Stadium, Zaria Road, Jos on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Chief-coach of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu who led the team to Jos in the absence of technical adviser, Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu who is on national team duties with the Super Eagles, made three changes to the match day 10 starting squad with goalkeeper, Lucky Abdullahi and the duo of Kingsley Maduforo and Nenrot Silas earning starting places.
The home side, under former chief coach of Rangers, Mbwas Mangut, were the quicker off the block as the tried to dominate in the middle of the pack while attacking sensation, Vincent Temitope was handed the task to probe for openings which failed to come as the visitor’s backline proved their mettle.
On 12 minutes of hostilities, an opportunity fell for the home side after a mix-up between a defender and goalkeeper of Rangers but Temitope failed to capitalize as his effort went off target.
With the first period nearing its end, an opportunity fell for Godwin Obaje after he was released by a Kazeem Ogunleye’s pass and as he breezed past two defenders with only the goalkeeper at his mercy, he was hacked down by the on-rushing shot stopper at the edge of the box and the referee wasted no time in sending him off the pitch.
In the second period, it was the brilliance of substitute goalkeeper, Emeka Nwabulu that prevented the Tin-City side from tasting a defeat as he did well to beat out a Saviour Isaac’ goal bound shot on the hour mark while producing another reflex save to deny Kingsley Maduforo on 73 minutes.
At the other end, Lucky Abdullahi was alive to his duties to beat out a Temitope’ long range effort on 82 minutes as the 10 man Plateau United side pushed for a late rally.
Coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, in a post match chat, said, “It was a great game from both sides as the match was more like a derby considering the number of players on parade that had played for the other side they were playing against today. The game became much difficult for us when our opponent were reduced by one player as others played to cover for the missing one. We came to Jos for a mission to snap the maximum points but one point is also good enough.”
Rangers now occupy the 6th spot on the twenty team log with sixteen points from eleven matches and will next host Bendel Insurance in a match day 12 fixture inside Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
R.I.F.C.E
MEDIA TEAM
