MATCH OF THE WEEK: ENYIMBA FC VS ENUGU RANGERS (Rangers FC won the First meeting 2-1 ) Can Rangers do the double over Enyimba ?..

Can Rangers do the double over Enyimba

By Chinedu Laurel Okorodike  
Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit


An Oriental Derby is always a treat anytime anyday irrespective of the circumstances and this weekend, it won't be any different as The People's Elephant hosts The Flying Antelopes which sees Paul Aigbogun pitch his tent against Imama Amakpakabo.

The People's Elephants come into this game on the back of a win in the Federations Cup in midweek after they saw off resistance from Rivers United. However, their last league game saw them fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Jos and will be looking for a win here to re-invigorate their league campaign as they trail this weekend's opponent by seven points although they have two games in hand.

They will also be boosted by news from South Africa which kept their CAF Champions League hopes alive. Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Zamalek SC of Egypt 1-0 which means Enyimba have their destiny in their hand as they have to beat Sundowns in Nigeria and also pick up another win in a banana skin trip to Zamalek.

They lost the reverse fixture in Enugu as Rangers came from a goal down to win 2-1 in March. Rangers on the other hand will be looking for a win here as they currently trail Wikki Tourists on goal difference.

They could only manage a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Lobi Stars which saw them drop to 2nd. It should be an exciting game with goals at both ends resulting in a slim win for the people's Elephant.

The match is billed to kickoff by 4pm and will be Live on Supersport 9


Head to Head Enyimba Vs Rangers

Rangers= Two wins against Enyimba
Enyimba= Three wins against Rangers
Draw= Two draws between both


Enyimba statistic 

They are currently placed Fifth on the NPFL log 

They have picked up 12 wins from 25 matches played so far.

They have lost Nine times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, They are yet to lose at home this season.

They have won just Two away games in the NPFL so far this season

They have won TEN times at home this season.

They have drawn Three times at home this season and Once away this season

They have conceded 6 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 17 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 19 goals while playing at home this season and 7 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Kano Pillars 2-1 away and also defeating Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 in 

Their biggest loss this season was losing to El-Kanemi Warriors and Plateau United away from home with the same score of 2-0

They have failed to score in Seven away games and Two home games

They have kept Eight Clean sheets at home and Two Clean sheet away this season.

Enugu Rangers statistic 

They are currently placed Second on the NPFL log but have the same number of Points with the leaders Wikki Tourists.

They have picked up 13 wins from 27 matches played so far.

They have lost Six times so far in their away matches this season in the NPFL, and are yet to lose at home this season.

They have won two away game in the NPFL so far this season.

They have won Elelven times at home this season.

They have drawn Three times at home this season and Five Times Away 

They have conceded 9 goals while playing at home this season and a whooping 21 goals while playing away from home.

They have scored 25 goals while playing at home this season and 13 goals while playing away from home.

Their biggest win this season was defeating Ikorodu United 4-1 at home.

Their biggest loss this season was losing to Lobi Stars 3-1 away from home.

They have failed to score in 4 away games and one home games

They have kept Five sheets at home and Two Clean sheet away this season.

Just like Wikki Tourist they have also picked up eleven points away from home this season.

They are not shy to score away from, home. So far they have scored 13 goals away from home

My Prediction: Enyimba FC 2-1 Enugu Rangers

Read More

Rangers beat Abia warriors to go top of the NPFL

Enugu Rangers Friday night shot to the top of the Nigeria league after they defeated regional rivals Abia Warriors 2-1.

Rangers toppled Wikki Tourists at the summit of the table with 43 points from 25 matches, a point more than the Bauchi club.

The home team deserved their win as they were the more positive team particularly in the first half, while Abia Warriors attack despite boasting Chisom Chikatara and Michael Olaha lacked any sharpness.

Nigeria youth international midfielder Obinna Nwobodo put Rangers in front after 15 minutes, when he fired past Abia Warriors goalkeeper John Gaadi from an acute angle on the left flank.

They doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, when Chisom Egbuchulam tucked away a penalty after the referee adjudged skipper Austin Obaroakpo handled the ball inside his vital area.

It was his 10th goal of the campaign.

After several saves by Rangers Ghanaian goalkeeper Nana Bonsu, Olaha pulled a goal back for Abia Warriors on the stroke of full time to make for a nervy end to this derby.

In first half stoppage time, Rangers striker Bobby Clement saw his effort from inside the box come off the foot of the post. 

Read More

RANGERS SET FOR ROUND OF 64 AND CRACKER AGAINST EL-KANEMI IN MAIDUGURI

Rangers Int'l FC Enugu has perfected plans towards securing double victory against Akure FC in the round of 64 of the FA Cup in Abuja on Friday, 27th May, 2016 and match day 18 of the Professional League against El-Kanemi FC in Maiduguri on June 1st 2016.

A statement by the Director media and Public Relations of Rangers Int'l FC, Enugu Foster Chime disclosed that the Coach Imama led technical crew on Tuesday, at the Nnadi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu intensified preparations and training towards putting the Rangers players in proper shape for the two important matches in Abuja and Maiduguri. 

Imama Amapakabo one of the two assistant Coaches drafted to Nigerians Super Eagles for the two International Friendlies this month, jetted out of the Country with other Super Eagles Crew, had serious workouts on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday with the Rangers players, including an interstate friendly game with Ebonyi United on Sunday in Enugu where Rangers won 3 goals to one, to perfect final tactical and technical strategies for the two important games.

Imama who expressed satisfaction with the fitness and commitment of his players towards the two games, said with the quality of players to prosecute both matches, he has no doubt that Rangers will be victorious in the two matches.

According to him, he has Capable Coaches and assistants that will comfortable fit into his shoes to pilot the ship of the team to safety, adding that he will always be in close contact with the team.

Rangers players and technical crew left Enugu Wednesday, for Abuja where they will play Akure United FC on Friday, in the round of 64 of the Federation Cup.

Rangers players and few technical crew are expected to stay back in Abuja to make the Maiduguri trip on Tuesday, next week while some of the players that will not make the Maiduguri trip will travel back to Enugu with the other team officials.

Meanwhile, Rangers Management has expressed gratitude to their teaming fans for turning out massively last Friday to support the team during Rangers match day, 19 against Heartland FC Owerri in Enugu under floodlight.

Rangers Management said that the players gave their best not minding the outcome of the result of the match which the Management believes was not actually a true reflection of the resilience and determination of Rangers players to secure the maximum three points and goals.

The management appeals for continuous support of the fans, patience and understanding for the remaining matches in the league, adding that the technical crew have been mandated to beef up the squad with some additional quality, tested and experience players, especially attackers and top finisher during the midseason transfer window.

According to the management, the technical crew has also been directed to submit detailed technical report of the first round as well as performance index of every player to ascertain those that have not met the standard set as well as areas that need total overhaul and improvement.

Management expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the first stanza and assures that the club will do everything within its power to maintain her leadership of the league table until the last match in the second stanza of the professional league.

Read More

Rangers and Heartland records first goalless draw between both teams in 12 years

The Flying Antelopes failed to come to the party as the Oriental derby against Heartland FC ended in a barren draw in Friday night football.

Rangers who were hoping to get another win at home to cover up lost points forfeited because of the expulsion of Giwa FC earlier in the day were unable to get behind their visitors in Friday’s clash at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium.

The hosts dominated play from the blast of the whistle and should have gone ahead in the 2nd minute when  Chisom Egbuchulam met Udeagha's cross with a flick, but Heartland keeper Ebele Obi saved what would have been a beautiful goal. 

Soon it was the turn of Ifeanyi Onuigbo of Heartland to blast high from close range, as the match became an end to end affair.

In the 24th minute Rangers won a free kick at Chisom Egbuchulam's territory were he has scored four free kick from this season. He curled the ball towards the top left hand side of the goal post, but Heartland's keeper Ebele Obi was on hand to make a quick save.

An early Injury to Rangers player Chidiebere Okolie forced the player to be substituted in the 33rd minute for striker Bobby Clement and minutes later he won the Flying Antelopes a penalty after he was brought down by Heartland's player Doumbia.

Again Chisom Egbuchulam failed to convert the spot kick awarded to his team as he shot straight to Heartland's keeper Ebele Obi.

It was the first goalless draw between both teams in 12 years. With the solitary derby point, Rangers remain top of the NPFL log with 32 points from 18 games.

Rangers Team List

30. Itodo Akor (GK) 28. Donou Kokou 26. Chidiebere Okolie 13. Christian Madu 5. Ousmane Pape Sane 15. Camara Aziz 6. Obinna Nwobodo 19. Godwin Aguda 11. Chisom Egbuchulam 35. Chinedu Udeagha 33. Tope Olusesi

SUBS: 25. Nana Bonsu 18. Okey Odita 3. Bright Esieme 14. Dada Bitrus 4. Amanfor Chimezie 24. Agbo Charles 9. Bobby Clement

 HeartlandTeam List

‬18. Ebele Obi (GK) 14. Brownbraye Okpus 4. Zoumana Doumbia 26. Julius Ubido 22. Nnaemeka Anyanwu 29. Chinedu Efugh 9. Emeka Ogbugh 8. Bright Ejike 20. Ifeanyi Onuigbo 11. Marcmacel Obioha 23. Isaac Loute

Subs: 1. Phillip Acho 24. Nelson Ognonnaya 32. Anthony Oussou 13. Fortune Omoniwari 15. Benedict Okotu 27. Chidiebere Ajoku 28. Uchenna Orisakwe

Gallery

Read More

Rangers coach worried by possible mass exodus of players

Head coach of Enugu Rangers, Imama Amapakabo, has admitted that their ambition to become champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), could suffer if some of his players leave the club before the season ends.

Rangers are currently top of the table with 27 points from 14 matches.

Amapakabo is however wary of some key men like Obinna Nwobodo, Bobby Clement, Godwin Aguda, Ifeanyi Egwim and Chisom Egbuchulam leaving, which could ruin everything.

“I told my players from the onset that I knew it (player exodus) was going to happen so we made contingencies of having three players for each position,” Amapakabo told supersport.com.

“These players are evenly matched and that is why my bench is always strong.

“Whenever I effect substitutions, it always seems like the player coming in is better than the one he is replacing.

“Enugu Rangers does not rely on any one individual.”

Read More