Rangers held at Home by Defensive Pillars

Nigfooty Sports Media Sunday, February 27, 2022

By NORBERT OKOLIE - It was massive defending for visiting Kano Pillars F.C of Kano in the match day 15, NPFL 2021/2022 fixture inside F.C Ifeanyi Ubah stadium, Nnewi as they held out for a scoreless draw against Rangers International F.C.

The host started the match in a blistering fashion upfront with the trio of Elijah Ani, Christian Nnaji and Chidiebere Nwobodo combining well but goalkeeper, Idrisu Ibrahim was equal to the task as he was the major reason no goal was recorded in the fixture.

Though the visitors were on the back-foot in the early part of the game, they got the first opportunity to score on seven minutes when Rabiu Ali was allowed too much space but his stinging shot was pushed out by Seidu Mutawakilu to reprieve of the home team’ bench.

Kenechukwu Agu tried a long range effort at the quarter-hour mark but Idrisu stood strong to punch the effort away and on twenty minutes, a neat cut-back pass by Nwobodo meant for Elijah was expertly kicked away by Abdullahi Musa with his goalkeeper well beaten.

After the first half break, the host continued their dominance while the visitors defended in numbers to deny the coach Abdul Maikaba led side much sniff at goal but the 62nd minute, Elijah Ani was presented with the best opportunity in the match after he was released by Samuel Pam but his shot after dribbling past goalkeeper Idrisu was too weak as the returning defenders cleared to safety.

Defender, David Chimezie’ nodded effort on 81 minutes failed to trouble the visitor’s backline as they successfully navigated their way to a valuable draw on the road while the host were left to rue missed opportunities.

Rangers’ chief coach, Mbwas Mangut said after the fixture, “This was another two points lost on home ground. We played some good football but our opponent defended well while their goalkeeper was good on the day. We go back and re-strategize for the coming game and hopefully, we shall reclaim the lost point.”

With the result, Rangers drop to the 4th spot on the log with 24 points from 15 matches behind table-topping Rivers United, second placed, Plateau United and third placed, Remo Stars.

RANGERS TEAM: Seidu Mutawakilu, Tope Olusesi, Bala Akintunde, Charles Tiesso, David Chimezie, Olawale Doyeni, Samuel Pam, Kenechukwu Agu (Shedrack Asiegbu -68th Min.), Elijah Ani (Moses Effiong -68th Min.), Chidiebere Nwobodo (Julius Ikechukwu -68th Min.), Christian Nnaji. SUBS NOT USED: Nana Bonsu, Ernest Governor, Christian Madu, Ifeanyi Nweke, Ikechukwu Eboko, Chukwuebuka Okorie.