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… Win Trophies, Return Rangers to The Continent – Management Charges New Coach

By Amaechi Agbo

Newly appointed Technical Adviser of Rangers International FC Fidelis Ilechukwu has declared that the seven-time Nigeria Premier League, NPL champions needs “surgical operation” to return it to her old glory.

Ilechukwu who disclosed this during his unveiling at the Rangers International FC Corporate Head office in Enugu on Wednesday noted that the team need quality players to steer it to the expected targets in the new season.

The 48-year-old was unveiled as new Rangers International FC Technical Adviser on Wednesday after he signed a two-year contract with the 2023 Federation Cup finalist.

“It’s a great privilege and I am honoured to be the coach of this great team, one of the best teams in Nigeria. I have accepted all the conditions to be the coach with humility understanding to make sure we take Rangers to where they belong.

“There is going to be surgical operation, whether anybody likes it or not. But that operation will be without sentiment, operation in the defence, middle and especially attack. We need to bring players that will deliver the team. I don’t know the resources of Rangers but the money you have also determines the quality of players you will acquire..

“I am a grassroots coach, from grassroots to amateur two, to division three, to NNL and the Nigeria Premier League. So I am grounded, whatever management has on ground is what we work with. If you have something that will make us to build up and wait for upper season, Ilechukwu is ready. If you have something that will deliver the team immediately, Ilechukwu is ready.

“I didn’t not just jump into this job, MFR (Coach Christian Chukwu) was involved, I came because I believe we can form formidable force to win the league. That is why we are here. It depends on what we want. If we want to press fast and get what we want believe me, we have to bring in few experienced serious young players to the team,” he stated.

Earlier in his opening address, the administrative Secretary of Rangers, Barr. Ferdinand Ugwuarua said that unveiling of Fidelis Ilechukwu as New Rangers Coach is historical landmark in the 53-year-old club

“Today marks a landmark in the history of Rangers as a club in Nigeria. We are all welcome to the unveiling programme of our new coach, Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu. The programme has serious significance.

“Recently, the them Technical Adviser of Rangers, Abdul Maikaba addressed the press and hinted that because of family and other exigences, he will not renew his contract with the club. The management of Rangers accepted that position in good fate and went ahead in recruiting a new coach for the club.

“Today marks the active and formal engagement of a new Technical Adviser for Rangers International Football Club and the person is no other person than coach Fidelis Ilechukwu.

“By special grace of God, Coach Ilechukwu has signed a two-season contract with Rangers FC and it’s our prayers, with the support of Government and all stakeholders, that his two seasons in Rangers will be a successful one,” he said.

He enumerated the targets Rangers set for their new coach which includes winning all available trophies and returning the club to continental football

“Knowing the tradition of the club for the past 53 years, we want to be on top. Part of the targets are: the coach is expected to win all winnable trophies in the premiership and we are expected to be in the continent.

“That is the tradition of Rangers. Rangers is not a club that should be at the background and others should be playing. If Rangers is not playing, who else should be playing?

“The target is all encompassing, win all winnable trophies in football competition in Nigeria and then take Rangers to the continent.”