A late first half slip-up due to loss in concentration by the backline of the reigning NPFL Champions, Rangers International FC ensured that Abia Warriors FC snatched all points at stake with a 1-0 scoreline in a re-arranged match day 25, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture played at the bumpy, Umuahia Township Stadium, Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu had stuck with the squad that defeated table toppers, Remo Stars FC at weekend save for left-back, Kenneth Igboke, who had returned to the national U-20 training camp, and the match day squad took the battle to the home side with the uneven nature of the pitch causing some hindrances.

With just few minutes to the end of the first stanza, after both sides had canceled themselves out in the earlier part of the game, Abia Warriors’ forward, Anthony Ijoma was allowed much space as his team went on a counter down the left flank to let fly a shot that caught Rangers shot stopper unawares on 43 minutes as the large crowd of fans rose in celebrations.

When both teams returned for the start of the second stanza, coach Ilechukwu introduced fresh legs like Okorie Chiedozie, Williams Wonah, Daniel Onyia, Frank Uwumiro, and Ogbodo Kelechi to help salvage a point but tried as they could, the host’s backline and some spectacular saves from goalkeeper, Nmecha Johnson, threw themselves on the line to ensure that the Umuahia side went home with the maximum points at stake in the ‘Oriental Derby’.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said after the encounter, “It was a great game. I think we did our best but our best is not enough but this is a match we have one or two things to take home and we are still positive in what we can achieve by the end of the season.”

With the loss, Rangers now occupy the 6th spot on the log with 38 points from twenty-five matches and will next play Sunshine Stars FC in a re-arranged match day 26 fixture on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.