Rangers edge Enyimba in NPFL Youth League duel
A second-half hat-trick from Rangers U-17 attacking sensation, Chimobi Igwilo, helped the Coal City youth side inflict a heavy 3-0 spanking on neighbors, Enyimba U-17 in the second day of actions of the inaugural edition of NPFL Youth League, South-East zone taking place at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Coach Basil Obeta and his able lieutenants kept faith with the match day one squad that earned a 1-0 win over Heartland, yesterday, except for the duo of Adeli Emmanuel and Ilono Somto whose places were taken up by Kingsley Michael and Chibuike Ugwuoke. It was attacking football at its best for the appreciative fans that turned up for the youth tournament put together by the NPFL.
As much as both sides gave in the first stanza, there was little to show in the form of goals not because there were none but because some quality goalkeeping from Ononiwu Emmanuel for the Aba side and Chike Chinedu for the Enugu side, meant that both retired for the break without conceding.
When both sides returned for the second stanza, it was the ‘Flying Antelopes’ youth team that took full control of activities pushing their opponents back into their defensive shells with their captain, Agada Uchechukwu proving his mettle but there was little they could do on 55 minutes when Okacha Friday’ telegraphic pass found Igwilo Chimobi who dribbled past a sea of tackling legs to drive home the opening goal of the encounter.
The dribbling wiz kid completed his hat-trick in a space of four minutes in a similar fashion as he scored in 86 and 89 minutes of the game with assists from John Anietie and Okacha Friday to hand his side, six maximum points from the two matches played in the South-East zone of the NPFL Youth League.
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Speaking after the encounter in which he was selected as Man-Of-The-Match, the second in the tournament, Igwilo Chimobi said, “I really thank God, my coaches, teammates, and supporters of our club for being there for us since the start of the competition. For my three goals today, I dedicate them to the entire team and hope to keep scoring as the opportunities come.”
Rangers CEO, Barrister Amobi Ezeaku, who was elated with the performance of the youth team, said after the match, “Congratulations on this great victory, and I charge you to keep the tempo very high as more challenges are coming as the competition gets tighter. You have shown that you really have the Never-Say-Die spirit of the club which I am sure will take you very high in your career.”
Rangers conclude the zonal playoff of the NPFL Youth League 2024 on Saturday, February 3, 2024, when they flex muscles with Abia Warriors youth team.