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.

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Seven-time Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL champions, Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu have been fined a total sum of five million naira (₦5, 000, 000.00) following disruption that occurred during the matchday 35 encounter against Enyimba FC in Enugu.

The match which held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, was abandoned on the dot of 95 minute after a penalty was awarded to Rangers. Enyimba FC players, infuriated by the decision, walked out of the pitch.

The 25, 000 Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was filled to capacity with fans also standing along the track area.

Following a review of the incidence by the league organisers, Rangers have been found culpable for inability to adhere strictly to the rules governing the game.

The 2016 champions and current leaders if the league were fined for overticketing, insufficient security, lack of crowd control measures and failure to block individuals from gaining access to restricted areas.

Subsequently, Rangers was fined ₦2 000 000 for overticketing and a one million naira each fir the other three offences.

Below is the findings and decisions of the NPFL management:

SUMMARY JURISDICTION NOTICE To: Rangers Int’l FC NPFL

Date: 10″ June 2024

Upon review of the findings of the official reports for the Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on 9″ June 2024, the Nigeria Premier Football League states its findings as follows:

1. You are in breach of Rule B15.24 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you over-ticketed which led to the overcrowding at the Stadium.
2. You are in breach of Rule B13.5S2 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, 1n the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to provide adequate and effective security.
3. You are in breach of Rule B13.52.1 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to implement adequate and effective crowd control measures
4. You are in breach of Rule B13.52 of the Frameworks and Rules of the Nigeria Premier football League, in that on Sunday 9 June 2024, in the course of Match Day 35 Fixture: Rangers Int’l FC vs. Enyimba Int’l FC, you failed to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to restricted areas.

Consequently, the NPFL hereby impose on you the following sanctions: 1. A fine of Two Million Naira only (N2,000,000) for over-ticketing.

2. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failing to provide adequate security.
3. A fine of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) for failure to implement effective crowd control measures.
4. A fine of One Millon Narra only (N1,000,000) for failure to prevent unauthorized persons from gainingaccess to restricted areas.
5. An order to implement a more effective crowd control mechanism in subsequent home games

In accordance with Rule C26, you are required, within 48 hours of the date of this notice, to either:

1) submit to the summary jurisdiction and the sanctions contained herein; or 2) elect to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel.

Any such election must be in writing addressed to the undersigned at the office of the NPFL. Should you submit to the summary jurisdiction and the prescribed sanctions, kindly note that the fines therein are to be paid within 7 working days.

Note that in accordance with Rule E1, where an appeal or election to be dealt with by a disciplinary panel fails or is found to have been frivolous, such party may be liable to such additional sanction(s) as may be deemed fit in the circumstances.

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