A repeat of 2018 Federation Cup final fixture beckons again as former champions, Rangers International FC and Kano Pillars faceoff in the Federation Cup Round of 16 encounter.

Previous winners Rangers International FC of Enugu and Kano Pillars must do battle at the earliest stage possible in the men’s event. While Rangers triumphed on penalty shootout in the 2018 final after a 3-3 regulation draw, Pillars bettered Rangers when the two met last year in the Federation Cup in Abuja with Pillars scaling the hurdle after another penalty shootout.

In the Premier league this season, Kano Pillars are the only team to beat Rangers home-and-away winning 4-3 at Nammdi Azikiwe Stadium and 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in the reverse fixture.

in the female fixtures, Bayelsa Queens also must do battle with last year’s finalists Naija Ratels in the earliest stage possible in the women’s event – Round of 32.

ROUND OF 64 (MEN)

El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Simon Ben FC

Enyimba FC Vs El-Shama FC

Yobe Desert Stars Vs Abakaliki FC

Katsina United Vs Green Beret

Nasarawa United Vs Flight FC

Ijele FC Vs Lautau FC

Bayelsa United Vs EFCC FC

FC Basira Vs Atlantic FA

Warri Wolves Vs Wilbros FC

Shooting Stars Vs Zamfara United

Wikki Tourists Vs Edel FC

Rovers FC Vs Igbajo FC

Ikorodu City Vs Sunshine U19

Crown FC Vs NOSMAS FC

Beyond Limit FC Vs Krusaders FC

Rivers United Vs Barau FC
Mighty Jets Vs Imperial FC

Akwa United Vs Kebbi United

Inter Lagos Vs Harmony FA

Sokoto United Vs Jr. Danburan FC

Lobi Stars Vs Discovery Talent FC

Solution FC Vs Eagle Stars

Kwara United Vs Cynosure FC

Gombe United Vs Assemblies of God

Sunshine Stars Vs FC Bako

Plateau United Vs Ahudiyannem FC

Osun United Vs FWC FC

ABS FC Vs E-World

Bendel Insurance Vs Dandidi Babes

Adamawa United Vs Warinje Babes

Heartland FC Vs CP Strikers

Rangers Int’l Vs Kano Pillars

. All matches will take place on Wednesday, 19^th March

ROUND OF 32 (WOMEN)

Rivers Angels Vs Moje Queens

Gallant Queens Vs First Mahi Babes

Remo Stars Ladies Vs Plateau United Queens

Dannaz Ladies Vs GP World

Delta Queens Vs Jacklyn Angels

Ibom Angels Vs Sporting Angels

Fortress Ladies Vs Onimarg FC

Heartland Queens Vs Crystal Stars

Osun Babes Vs N-Youth Ladies

Edo Queens Vs Kada Queens

Delta Babes Vs Mighty Jets Mata

Adamawa Queens Vs Unification Ladies

Sunshine Queens Vs Castmog Ladies

Confluence Queens Vs Ahudiyannem Queens

Nasarawa Amazons Vs Kwara Ladies

Bayelsa Queens Vs Naija Ratels 

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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

The post NPFL MD28: My Team Underrated Akwa United, Draw is a Setback – Ilechukwu appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

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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Enugu – The Technical Adviser of reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C and Super Eagles of Nigeria’ assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has sounded it clear that his team would end the season on a positive note despite his team’s 1-2 loss to visiting Niger Tornadoes F.C in a match day 20, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture on Saturday, January 25, 2025 in Enugu.

In his post-match chat, coach Ilechukwu described the loss as unexpected and disappointing to him and the club’s numerous fans but expressed optimistism that the team will be celebrated at the end of the season.

“I told my players before the start of the game that it was going to be a very difficult game which it turned out to be. We created a lot of chances but could not utilize them but one, while our opponent got two chances and made use of them. Despite this loss, I call upon our supporters to stand beside this team that is the best team in the league as I assure all that at the end of the season, we shall be congratulated.”

Coach Ilechukwu had a full complement of his team with the return of the trio of Effimi Nsi, Isaac Saviour and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi from the Super Eagles B squad for the start of the second stanza of the league and the match day squad led in attack by the duo of Godwin Obaje and Frank Uwumiro showed enough dominance in the early stages of the match but missed a lot of goal scoring opportunities before falling behind to an Ismail Sarki’s 17th minute goal against the run of play.

To their credit, the home side were level on 19 minutes when Ifeanyi Onyebuchi nodded home an Isaac Saviour’s fiercely struck shot after a quick corner-kick was taken with Evans Ogbonda involved.

It was a catalogue of misses for the home side before the end of the first half as all that were thrown at the backline of the ‘Ikon Allah’ boys were contained just as Joshua Enaholo showed brilliance between the sticks.

When both teams returned for the second stanza, the tide was still in favor of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ but putting the ball in the back of the net was an issue on the day with Frank Uwumiro missing a sitter on 47 minutes while substitute, Kingsley Maduforo blazed his effort wide with only the goalkeeper at his mercy at the hour mark just as Isaac Saviour’ goal-bound stinging shot was pushed out by Enaholo on 62 minutes and on 65 minutes, Rangers’ defence was breached a second time as Ifeanyi Okechukwu let fly a shot from the edge of the box that goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi had no answer.

With few minutes to the end of the encounter, Effimi Nsi was tripped inside the box as he was through on goal and the referee wasted no time in making the call but substitute, Okorie Chiedozie failed to score from the spot as his kick greased the cross bar and went out of target as the league defending champions, surrendered all three points at stake on home soil for the third time in the ongoing season.

Rangers will next travel to Maiduguri, Borno state to trade tackles with El-Kanemi Warriors in a match day 21 fixture on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

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Rangers International Football Club of Enugu played their first home game of 2024 at the Cathedral on the matchday 18 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League on Saturday, capping it off with a 4:1 win against the Savanah Scorpions of Gombe.

The Flying Antelopes of Enugu started the match in a promising manner, launching several attacks in order to offer retribution for their 2:0 loss at the previous fixture away against Bendel Insurance but was met with a shocker as the Savanah Scorpions took an early lead in the 19th minute through the goalkeeper’s spillage of a low cross across the face of the goal, leaving Wasiu Alalade with an open net to pass the ball into.

However, the resilience of the Enugu Rangers paid off as they pulled the goal back within 30 seconds of going behind as Godwin Obaje beat the offside trap to find himself in a one-on – one situation with the goalkeeper which he passed to the bottom left corner leaving the goalkeeper in no man’s land. Shortly after that, the Flying Antelopes took the lead at the 38th minute as Godwin Obaje riffled a penalty kick in arising from a foul inside the box. This saw the host go in with a half time lead.

Entering the second half, the visitors took control of the game and came very close to equalizing as a well-hit free kick within 20 yards came off the post, before the hosts reclaimed their authority in the game as Nwodu Chukwudi received the ball inside the box and passed it to the bottom right corner after shrugging off the defender, making it 3:1 for the Flying Antelopes.

The last goal came from a well-hit free kick from Kenechukwu Agu within 20 yards, with the goalkeeper rooted to the spot, leaving the spectators in awe.

Rangers currently occupy the 9th position on the table with 25 points in 17 games and will travel to Ákwá Ibom for their Match-day 19 fixture against Ákwá United.

The post Rangers Mark Their First Home Game of the Year with a 4:1 Trashing of Gombe United appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

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.”

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