By Timothy Nwobodo

Enugu – Enugu Rangers earned a 1:0 home win against the league leaders, Rivers United in the match day 16 of the 2024 /2025 NPFL season thanks to a first half header from Chinemerem Ugwueze.

The Flying Antelopes started the match in a promising manner despite being without three of their key players; the big centre back Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and the midfield duo of Kazeem Ogunleye and Isaacs Saviour who were on National duty. Their resilience was later rewarded in the 16th minute  when Chidubem Ugwueze headed home a Lucky Jimoh’s long throw.

The visitors came into the second half with more intent an pressure on the Flying Antelopes, making them to sit back and soak up pressure, they kept knocking and knocking but the compact defense of the Enugu Rangers denied them any hope of equaliser.

However, Rangers International assistant coach Eneh Ekene while reacting to the game said; “I must say this was a very good game of football against a strong team, for me the performance today was 50/50 and we hope to stay positive and continue with what we are doing because we are now 9 matches unbeaten.”

Rivers United gaffer, Finidi George complained about the time wasting approach the home team adopted towards the end of the game; “The three minutes added time was not enough because of all the changes that were made and players falling here and there, the goalkeeper taking time before serving the ball. However, we played well, just that we couldn’t get the equaliser, we’ll take the positives and move on to the next game.”He said.

Rangers are now two points behind league leaders, Remo Stars and will travel to Katsina this weekend to take on Katsina United, while Rivers United will welcome Kwara United on the Match day 17 of the NPFL respectively.