By Amaechi Agbo

Seven-time Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu have been approved to play their home matches of the ongoing league season at their home ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu by the League organisers following the completion of renovation work on the pitch.

The Flying Antelopes first home match on their home ground is against fellow traditional club side, Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan on Thursday. The match will kick-off by 4pm.

The General Manager, Rangers, Mr Amobi Ezeaku confirmed Rangers return to the Cathedral in a press briefing.

Speaking to the sports press in Enugu, the GM said “We are back to the Cathedral not just to play against Shooting Stars on the 28, we have returned to the Cathedral.”

Rangers last played a home match at the Cathedral in 2021 before the renovation work commenced in October same year.

More than two years after, with the club playing its home matches away in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the 2016 NPFL champions are back to their home ground and Mr Ezeaku explained what the home return means to the club and fans.

“To those who understand the atmosphere of the Cathedral, is a place we love to chant, it’s a place we enjoy the atmosphere in the day and night. It’s a place we tap the round leather, and we love it, not just because we play the game; we love it because of those behind us, the fans of this club, and we have to say that we are grateful to those fans who followed us to Nnewi when we started, from Nnewi to Awka.

“We are grateful to the Football Association of Anambra State, for their undying zeal and support, their effort to see that the flag of this great club keeps flying. Special thanks also to the Governor of Anambra State and to the Anambra State Football Association Chairman, General Chikelue, who made sure that every logistics for playing at the Awka Township Stadium was provided. It was over two years of great difficulty playing, we understand that the stadiums in the five South-Eastern states are home to Rangers, but then there is a place the umbilical cord of this club is buried, and that is at the Cathedral here in Enugu, in other words, we have a home in Awka, we have a home in Umuahia Abia State, we have a home in Ebonyi,

“We have a home in Imo State, but ultimately, the umbilical cord is buried here, in fact Enugu is the capital of all the states in the South-Eastern region, so we are grateful to the supporters who followed this club.

“Even those who followed from their homes, and now we are back, on the 28 of December we invite you, everyone to come to the stadium to support this great club. Few days ago we came back from Aba, and you all know the result, before the game we had won Sporting Lagos 2:0 in Awka, we couldn’t be where we are today without the support of our fans, and ultimately, the media who report these games to the people who do not attend.” he said.

He recognized the impact of the press in the reportage of Rangers activities and called for more support from everyone connected to Rangers.  

“We couldn’t be celebrating without the impact of the press, we celebrate you, we say thank you and now that we are back, we call for more support. We call for more commitment, deeper commitment to the philosophy that we’ve outlined, to the insignia of this club, to the badge of this club. We call for deeper respect for the history of this club, Rangers, because it is this club that symbolizes the true movement that we adore, and now that we’re back, the Cathedral has been sanctified.

“Our Cathedral must be protected, must not be desecrated, the players understand what is at stake. Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his technical crew understand what is at stake, this management understand what is at stake; the State Government, the Governor of this State swore that Rangers will be back, and we’re back. We don’t take it for granted, so we want to stretch ourselves beyond limits, not just for Rangers but for the growth of football in this State,” he concluded.

“We will not forget the commitment of the Enugu State Football Association when we were playing away from Enugu. We will not forget the support from everyone, the board members of Enugu Football Association, we will not forget the SWAN, the Police, the security agencies, who have afforded this team so much protection whenever we travel to play, and come back.

“And now dear friends, it’s December, we’re playing a game just three days after Christmas, what other Christmas gift could the fans have asked for other than to see a game in the year 2023, and to be welcomed into the New Year with the hope that there will be more games at the Cathedral.”