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By Amaechi Agbo

Newly appointed Technical Adviser of Rangers International FC Mr Fidelis Ilechukwu has made a passionate appeal to the Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah to bring back the club to their home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, NAS, Enugu.

The gaffer made the appeal after he was unveiled as new Rangers handler last week.

Ilechukwu who formerly coached MFM FC of Lagos, Heartland FC of Owerri and most recently, Plateau United FC of Plateau State, said that the importance of Rangers playing their home matches at home is pivotal in the team returning to winning titles in the league.

Rangers International FC of Enugu has for the past two seasons played their home matches away from their”Cathedral” Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, with Awka City Stadium in Anambra State as their adopted home.

Ilechukwu said he would make efforts to meet the governor and explain to him the need to complete the renovation work and return Rangers to their home ground.

“We need to sit down and find a way out. We also have to look into bringing the team back to Enugu. So many things will play if you want to win the league except you don’t want to believe me. And it’s good you believe me because I am in the system.

“Playing in Enugu, I will beg his Excellency. I will do everything to meet him one-on-one. Beg him to do all he can to make sure we bring the team back to Enugu State because fans are 12th man on the pitch and there is importance of it.

“The players need to be psyched up, to understand their awareness. Be aware of the meaning of Rangers International. Rangers International is like Manchester United in Nigeria. They need to understand that mentality and everything. There is alot to do.”

Meanwhile, Rangers Administrative Secretary, Barr. Ferdinand Ugwuarua has disclosed that that State Government is showing “tremendous commitment” to complete the renovation work at the stadium

“Before the commencement of renovation exercise, the status of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium was still far more better than so many stadiums we have in Nigeria but government said that they want to give Rangers a better playing facility, that was the intention. But that intention actually met with disappointment and that is what has brought us here.

“I have been privileged to meet with the new Governor of Enugu State and he has shown tremendous commitment to get the stadium renovation sorted out in a jiffy. The Governor is not a man of many words. We are expecting that Rangers will soon come back to Enugu to play to the admiration of their fans.

“While we are waiting for the government to do the needful in a short while, we continue to promise the supporters and fans of Rangers that the structure is capable enough to sustain good performance of the club,” he stated.