Babangida to fortify FC Taraba

Chairman of newly promoted FC Tarba, ex-international Tijjani Babangida, has admitted he will need to reinforce his team for the challenges of the top flight.

FC Taraba lost 1- 2 to hosts Enugu Rangers in a pre-season friendly on Sunday and Babangida said as much as he was impressed with his team’s showing, there would be a need to fortify the team.
“I must say that I am highly impressed with our game today despite the loss.

“The aim of playing the match was achieved as we have noticed some of the weak links in the team and after a meeting with the technical crew, we will know the players to get into the team. We need to re-enforce the team for the task ahead,” said Babangida, who made history by guiding Taraba to a first-ever appearance in the Nigerian top flight.

The former Ajax Amsterdam winger further said: “We are a very young side in the league and will need to muster enough courage and determination to rub shoulders with the big boys of the league.
“Being our first season in the premiership, our modest target is to retain our status, which I believe with the calibre of the technical staff we have, it is achievable.”

Rangers had to rely on a late goal from Meshack Chibuikem to earn the win after substitute Luter Ioryhe had cancelled out Uche Ndukwe’s 23rd minute strike some few minutes into the second half of the highly entertaining encounter that had over a thousand spectators cheering.

Head coach Ndubuisi Nduka relied on such experienced campaigners like Obinna Nwokolo, Kelvin Njoku, Osita Echendu, Hussaini Adaji and Omoh Ojabu to curtail the fleet-footed Rangers.
“We did a good job today but gave away two cheap goals. I am impressed with our play and with more time we would become the team to beat when the league starts,” Nduka said