Ilechukwu optimistic ahead of NPFL second stanza
Technical Adviser to Rangers International F.C, Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has drummed it into the ears of the club’s teaming supporters that he was optimistic of leading the ‘Flying Antelopes’ to a respectable finish in the league with the number of quality players at his disposal as the second round of the 2023/2024 NPFL season resumes this weekend.
Coach Ilechukwu, whose lads perch on the 8th position on the twenty team log with twenty-eight points from nineteen matches boasts of being the second top-scoring side in the first stanza with twenty-six goals, stated, in an exclusive chat, Friday, that with the new players added to the side, the second round would be tasking, interesting and result oriented.
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“I think we have done well in the market. We have brought in a few new quality players knowing fully that the second round of the league would be very tasking. Management has also done marvelously well in preparing for the second round. What is very important for us now is a perfect start with a win against Akwa United in the opening match of the second stanza. It is a crucial game for us,” said the highly revered tactician.
He stated, “We are taking each game at a time with the strong belief that we shall get a positive result. We also appreciate the fact that we currently occupy the 8th spot on the log with eight points below the table-topping side. Surely, eight points is a very big gap which is very difficult to overcome but can also be easy to get and we are prepared to give our all to ensure we end the season on a positive note. We are very optimistic about what we can achieve.”
The seven-time Nigeria league champions kick off the second round of the league with a match day 20 encounter against visiting Akwa United who ran away with a lone goal victory courtesy of an Ubong Friday’s 79th-minute penalty in the reverse fixture in Eket late last month.
The match takes place inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, ‘The Cathedral’ with kick-off slated for 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 18, 2024.