All efforts by the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored Rangers International F.C to annex the maximum points at stake in their match day 9, NPFL 2022/2023 Abridge season, Group B fixture against Bayelsa United F.C in Yenagoa were stoutly rebuffed by the host.
Coach Maikaba kept faith with the starting squad that defeated Doma United in Awka with the exception of the troika of Chidera Ezeh, Naziru Auwalu, and Shedrack Asiegbu whose places were taken by John Jacob, Saidu Adamu, and Chukwudi Nwaodu as the ‘Flying Antelopes’ took an early lead.
Godwin Obaje headed the visitors into the lead in 5 minutes as he connected well with Hadi Mohammed’s inch-perfect cross to send the traveling delegation into wild jubilation as the home side looked stunned.
To their credit, the home side did not sit back to be consumed but took the fight to their more experienced opponent and twice came close to drawing level but for some splendid defending by the back line of Rangers just as Emeka Nwabulu was at his best between the sticks.
On 41 minutes, the home side got the equalizer as some slack defending left Robert Mizo-Christian enough space to stab home from close range to send both sides into the break on an even note.
Efforts by both sides to find the winning goal throughout the second stanza failed to yield the desired dividends as they shared the spoils as the referee ended proceedings.
Coach Mbwas Mangut, in a post-match chat, said, “It was a good game that we really wanted to win but the opponent proved very difficult to break”,
“We continue to work hard on the noticed lapses as we go into the second round of the league”, he said
Godwin Obaje, said, “We played against a very determined side but got a good result that would have been better as we actually came here for a win. With my opening goal today, I hope to score more with the assistance of the entire team”,
“I urge our fans to believe in this team, and be patient with us as we hope to work hard to ensure we qualify for the super-six contest at the end of the season.”
Rangers will play Rivers United on March 15, 2023, in Port Harcourt in a rescheduled M.D 8 fixture.
/Norbert Okolie
