By Ebube Dike

Former Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu on Wednesday defeated visiting Raiders FC 4-1 in in a warm up match in Akwa, Anambra State.

Rangers without a Team Manager for more than a year and their home Stadium, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium still in doubt following more than a year renovation works, ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season, have been in closed-door camping at the Awka Township Stadium where they have played several tune-up games.

The Flying Antelopes have been without a Team Manager since August 2021 and with 6 candidates interviewed by the panel set up by the Enugu State Government on October 5th, information about the appointment of a new TM has been unavailable

The 2016 NPFL champions played all their 19 home matches in the previous season in Nnewi at Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium and Awka Township Stadium. A development. The two developments, NPFL followers have argued, contributed to the club not picking a continental ticket last season and also placing 5th on the league table.

In their match on Wednesday, Eboko Ikechukwu opened the floodgate of goals on 9 minutes after he was fed by Joel Okoro but all hopes of total dominance of the Delta State league side that played up till the round of sixteen in this year’s Aiteo cup in Delta state, soon evaporated as the youthful side took the fight to their more illustrious opponent and on 27 minutes leveled up through Kenneth after some slack defending.

Adams Musa restored the lone goal lead on 39 minutes from the spot after he was upended in the vital area while further goals from substitute, Christian Nnaji on 65 minutes and Asiegbu Shedrack made the game safe on 84 minutes from the penalty spot after Chidiebere Nwobodo was brought down in the vital area ensured that there was no coming back for Asaba based side.

Vastly experienced tactician, Maikaba, fielded an entirely different team from the one that defeated Lobi Stars a day earlier with youthful, Chizoba Okoh earning the right to stand between the sticks with Rabiu Adamu and Obinna Igboke on the wing-back positions just as Saidu Adamu marshalled the defensive midfield position as Olawale Doyeni and Ifeanyi Umeh got details to take care of the heart of defense.

The trio of Michael Idika, Joel Okoro, and Chukwuebuka Okorie took charge of activities in the middle of the pack while Adams Musa and Ikechukwu Eboko were tasked with the duties of searching for the goals.

Recall that Rangers have been on a nine-day preseason close camping exercise in the Anambra state capital, Awka, playing six matches, winning five and a game ended in a draw.

Unconfirmed report has it that the 2022/2023 NPFL season could commence on 8th of next month if the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF gives approval to the Interim Management Committee, IMC proposed plans for the season.