It was a come-from-behind victory for former Nigeria league champions, Rangers International F.C in a practice match against a youthful and enterprising Enugu AllStars team complete with former FIFA World cup star, Okechukwu Uchebo and former youth international, Uche Nwofor in a 3-2 win, Saturday at the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.
The All-Stars team was quick off the block racing to a two goals lead inside the first seventeen minutes of the exciting match, put together to keep the ‘Flying Antelopes’ in shape as their NPFL Match Day 13 fixture was rescheduled, with former V.V.V Venlo of Holland’ attacking sensation, Uche Nwofor, showed class with a clinical finish off an Uchebo assist on 7 minutes. Chidi Edeh, who made fame and fortune in the Indian top league drilled in the second goal on 17 minutes after evading a sea of tackling legs to fi re past Femi Thomas.
Seven time Nigerian league champions, instead of been shocked and bemused, took the game to their opponents and within ten minutes, were on level terms as Godwin Zaki steeled his nerves to tuck away from the penalty spot after a handball incidence on 22 minutes while Chidera Eze scored what would compete for the goal of any tournament, on 27 minutes as he ghosted past three markers and released a volley that gently rested inside the bottom corner of the goal. Efforts by both teams to claim dominance was stoutly rebuff ed as Ugonna Uzochukwu held sway for the All-Stars team while Tope Olusesi and Ugonna Anyora were outstanding for the premiership side. With the game dragging to end on a stalemate, Ebuka Ugwuoko rose to the occasion with a sublime finish on 80 minutes as he benefited from Ebuka Okeke’ massy run.
In an earlier practice match, Thursday, the coach Olugbenga Ogunbote’ wards dispatched state armature side, Olicon F.C 3-2 with Godwin Zaki, Chiamaka Madu and Abu Azeez finding the net for Rangers on 9, 25 and 75 minutes while Emeka Eze and KenneThezeah scored for the armature side on 15 and 90 minutes. Rangers are free from NPFL actions this weekend and will be travelling to Omoku for a Match Day 14 fixture against Go Round F.C at the KrisDera Hotel stadium.
