Sports
2018/2019 NPFL: ‘Rangers Must Beat Niger Tornadoes’
The Team Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Amobi Ezeaku, yesterday said the club must continue to have the bragging rights over Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna.
Ezeaku told newsmen in Enugu that the club was battle ready to maintain their superiority over Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He said they would do this to also make up for lost grounds after losing against the MFM FC of Lagos.
Tidesports source reports that Rangers will host Niger Tornadoes on Today in Enugu.
The game is a rescheduled match for Rangers as a result of their ongoing campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Ezeaku said Rangers have always been beating Niger Tornadoes, especially since 2016 in Enugu.
“We have been beating them in Enugu and getting draws at away against them. We did it in 2016 when we won the league and repeated it last season.
“This year we are taking them serious to ensure we keep having the upper hand and maintain the bragging rights over them.
“We are aware the match will not come easy for Rangers, but our players are working to ensure victory on Wednesday and all hands are on desk.
“We will not only win to make ourselves happy and proud, but to make the state and our supporters generally happy with entertaining football,’’ he said.
Speaking on the club’s performance so far in the 2018/2019 NPFL, the team manager expressed delight with the win over rivals Enyimba International FC of Aba.
“It was a great display by the players and we give God all the glory, because `Oriental derbies’ are always tough.
“Even though we fielded new players in the game, but we were able to come out victorious and in the league so far a draw and a win is not too bad.
“Michael Uchebo, Bobby Clement, Saka Paschal and a couple of others are good players and the new players gave their all in the two matches played in the league.
“I believe the club’s Technical Adviser and the General Manager saw something unique in these new players, and this made them to incorporate them into the team’s fold.’’
He pointed out that the club has been doing well in matches, especially on the continent where they have been unbeaten.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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