FC Rising Draws 2-2 With Rangers In Friendly

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu yesterday was held to 2-2 draw by an Amateur club, FC Rising of Uwani, Enugu.
Rangers played the match ahead of their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 14 fixture against Kano Pillars in Kaduna on Sunday.
Tidesports source gathered that in the friendly match at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, the two teams stayed goalless after the first 45 minutes.
Nnamdi Egbujuo gave Rangers the lead, five minutes after the interval, while Raphael Peter drew FC Rising level in the 79th minute.
Peter scored his second goal of the match in 85th minute to bring the scoreline to 2-1.
When it looked as if FC Rising was running away with a win, Anyaogu Eze restored parity for Rangers in the 88th minute.
Speaking after the match, coach of FC Rising, Izuchukwu Okeke, commended his team for giving their best against Rangers FC.
Okeke noted that FC Rising got a draw in the match because of the timely changes from the bench.
“When the team was a goal down, we read the game from outside and made the necessary change that put us back into the game.
“From equalising, we took the lead and there, I thought we were going home with a win, but the players surrendered the lead,” he said.
The coach however praised the two-goal scorer, describing them as brilliant and excellent goals.
“Peter is our goal getter and these two goals have brought his goals for the team this year to 19.
“Playing out a draw with Rangers was a good result and showed that we performed well, and the officiating was good as well.
“We were not expecting a good officiating of this nature in the game because, the match was officiated by a Rangers official,” he said.
Rangers’ Media Officer, Norbert Okolie who spoke with Tidesports source after the match, said the match was a good one for the them.
“It was just a friendly match and we are not taking it to heart, but it unveiled lapses in the team.
“The technical crew has discovered areas to work on and that would take us to the drawing board to right the wrongs.
“More so, it will help put the players in shape for the ongoing season,” Okolie said.
Rangers FC currently occupy third position on the NPFL table with 23 points after 13 matches.