…We Came to Enugu to Win – Boboye

By Amaechi Agbo

Rangers International FC coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has disclosed that his players underrated Akwa United when both teams clashed in Matchday 28 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday in Enugu.

Akwa United, 19th on the log faced Rangers who were in 6th position with each team hoping for the three points . Akwa needed the three points to ease their relegation worries while Rangers needed the points to consolidate on their continental push, with the league defence almost over for the Flying Antelopes.

With the match ending 1-1 after Akwa United took the lead in the first half and Rangers equalised during the second half via a spotkick, Coach Ilechukwu described the result as a huge setback while his opposite number, Kennedy Boboye said the visitors came to Enugu to win the match.

“My team, maybe because of Akwa’s position, didn’t put up their best to get first position. It’s unfortunate that what I saw today was not what I expected in the first half. That’s what am feeling. That’s how it is, because we are lucky not to have conceded more than a goal in the first half, and it could have been a bad one.

“Everyone is sad because we had an agreement that this game would take us to the third position but this is a very big setback to the team entirely,” he said.

The coach explained why his experienced striker, Godwin Obaje was benched.

“Obaje had an injury in Kano, and he has not played since he got that injury. I called him and told him that 20 minutes might be enough. The doctors advised that others should start first. That’s what happened; “

On his part, coach Boboye said his wards came to Enugu to win but added that a point on the road will help their course to avoid the drop

“It was a good game. We wanted to come here and win, but it didn’t work out for us. The most important thing is that we have gotten something out of the game. We would choose any point anywhere we step our feet, because of the situation we are in and where we are” he said

Rangers are currently 5th on the log with 42 points while Akwa United have 28 points from 28 games.

Rangers will face Kwara United in their Matchday 29 while Akwa United will also be at home to receive visiting Sunshine Stars with both matches taking place on Sunday, March 16th