NPFL: How Rangers lost to Abia Warriors in Umuahia
A late slip from the backline of visiting Rangers International F.C to the Umuahia Township Stadium ensured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’ failed to have a share in the spoils of the match day 11, NPFL Abridge season, Group B fixture as Abia Warriors annexed the maximum points with a late 2-1 win.
Coach Abdul Maikaba started with nine members of the squad that earned a win over Bayelsa United at the weekend with the duo of Hadi Mohammed and Innocent Gabriel taking the places of Saidu Adamu and Austin Onyemaechi but it was the host that enjoyed a dream start when Jimoh Gbadamosi steeled his nerves to slot pass Emeka Nwabulu from the penalty spot on 9 minutes following a suspected handball incidence.
The Coal City landlords took the fight to their host with the quartet of Chidiebere Nwobodo, Chinecherem Ugwueze, Innocent Gabriel, and Shedrack Asiegbu pulling the strings from the middle of the pack with Uche John leading diligently from the rear and in one of its forays upfront, the captain of the side drew his team level as he bundled home a Chidera Ezeh’ well struck freekick that evaded the players of the home side and found an unmarked Uche John at the far post on 26 minutes.
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With both sides retiring to the dressing room on even note, it was the visitors that started the second stanza hungrier for a win and had three opportunities to wrap up the tie on 50, 67, and 69 minutes of play as Hadi Mohammed, Kingsley Maduforo, and Godwin Obaje all failed to find the back of the net.
With the game looking to end on an even note, Uche Moses popped up to nod into an empty net a Samson Obi’ gentle chip that caught the backline of the visitors flat footed in the second minute of the five added-on time to send the home crowd into wild jubilations as the Umuahia side do a double over the ‘Flying Antelopes’ this season.
Coach Abdul Maikaba said after the match, “Actually, I am not happy about the result. It hurts a lot after laboring for over ninety minutes and you concede a goal at the tail end of the game which is a result of loss of concentration from the players which is not too good. My players should know that a game could be won at any time. I don’t know why they want to end the match before the referee’s final whistle. Psychologically, it does not help our cause for the season. However, it is part of the game and we go back to prepare for our weekend’ game against Lobi Stars with our eyes set on winning that game for our good”
Rangers will next trade tackles with Lobi Stars at their adopted Awka City stadium on Sunday, April 2, 2023 with the match scheduled to kickoff at 15.00 hours (3.00pm).
RANGERS TEAM: Emeka Nwabulu, Chidera Ezeh, Kenneth Igboke, Innocent Gabriel, Uche John, Olawale Doyeni, Chinecherem Ugwueze (Ebuka Anthony -83rd Min.), Shedrack Asiegbu (Esor Achibong -55th Min.), Godwin Obaje (Leonard Ugochukwu -83rd Min.), Hadi Mohammed (Kingsley Maduforo -55th Min.), Chidiebere Nwobodo (Austin Onyemaechi -74th Min.). UNUSED SUBS: Detan Ogundare, Saidu Adamu, Austin Osayande, Philip Clement.