Rangers eye quarter-final ticket ahead of F.C Ebedei

As six-time national Challenge/Federation/Aiteo cup champions, Rangers International F.C of Enugu, target to further extend their dominance in the oldest football club competition in the country, this year, its eye is set on first overcoming the challenge expected from the NNL side, F.C Ebedei for a place in the quarter-final of Federation Cup 2023.

The round of 16 fixtures pitches the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored side against Churchill Oliseh’s managed team that overcame the challenges of Osun State’s side, Igbajo F.C 4-0 in the round of 32 in Ibadan while the Enugu side brushed aside ‘Sai Masu Gida’, Kano Pillars by two un-replied goals in the last game in Abuja.

Ahead of the fixture that will kick off by 4.00 pm at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Rangers coach, Abdul Maikaba described the encounter as a must-win to enhance his team’s target of being crowned champions again, stressing, “No doubt, every team deserved to be respected especially after getting to this stage of the competition.

”Though, we know very little about our opponent, F.C. Ebedei going into this encounter, we have what it takes to navigate ourselves to the next stage of the competition. We are taking every match as they come and I am very optimistic of progressing to serve as a balm for our not-too-impressive show in the ended NPFL.”

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Captain of the side, Uche John, on his part, said, “No team is easy but we are fully prepared, physically, mentally and psychologically to get the win that will take us to the next round of the competition as our target is to become champions of the Federation Cup which we want to use to placate our fans for our display in the league.”

The winner of the encounter will have a date with the winner of the Doma United F.C of Gombe/Edel F.C of Anambra fixture that will take place in Abuja.