By Amaechi Agbo

Seven-time Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champions, Enugu Rangers on Wednesday defeated Nigeria National League, NNL side, Nnewi United 3-1 in a friendly match.

The match which was part of both teams’ build up for their respective leagues, had Saeed Jibril, Julius Ikechukwu and Reuben Bala scoring for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ while Peter Ohiri scored for the ‘Anaedo Boys’.

Rangers have been playing test matches at their training camp in Enugu as they continue preparations ahead of the new NPFL season

However, the former champions need to be worried about where they will play their home matches in the upcoming season as the ongoing renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, NAS seems to have no feasible date of conclusion.

Although Best Choice Sports was reliably informed that the renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium “are 90% completed” the playing turf is yet to be covered.

The source privy to the renovation works told our correspondent that the artificial turf to be used on the field is yet to arrive the country.

“We hope to play our home matches in the new league in Enugu, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to be exact. You read when the contractor said some weeks ago that the pitch would be ready for use by the team.

“The contractor promised that once the artificial turf arrives Enugu, it will take him seven days to fix it and Rangers will be back home” the source who craved anonymity, said.

It could be recalled that the “Flying Antelopes” played all their home matches in the last season in Anambra State, a fact that contributed in no small measure in the team’s inability to pick a continental ticket after they ended the season 5th on the log.

The date of the commencement of the 2022/2023 NPFL season remains in abeyance as the Interim Management Committee, IMC set up by the Sports Ministry is yet to issue statement to that effect.