It was another display of the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit of the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, fought till the very last minute of the re-scheduled match day 2 fixture with Katsina United to earn a valuable 1-1 draw before a packed Mohammadu Dikko stadium, Katsina, Wednesday.
The coach Olugbenga Ogunbote tutored side could have taken a three goals lead within the first five minutes of the match but for some wasteful performance by his forward liners, Chidera Ezeh and Michael Uchebo.
Eric Gwammy reacted the quickest inside the box to blast home the opening goal for the host on 15 minutes off a long throw from Samuel Tswanya to send the crowd into wild jubilation.
To their credit, Rangers continued to press forward for the much needed equalizer but poor finishing continued to rob the visitors of a goal as Chidera Ezeh was again guilty as he fired over the bar on two occasions after been set up by Michael Uchebo on 17 and 26 minutes.
Michael Uchebo was clear on goal on 36 minutes as Koffi Roland set him up for a perfect finish but was upended in the box by Chinedu Ajannah but the referee waved play on to the disappointment of the visiting bench.
As the second stanza resumed, the host took the game to the visitors and would have increased the tally Martins Usule’ effort on 47 minutes missed target by inches just as Lukman Mohammed watched in awe as his shot went wide off target to the relief of Rangers backline ably anchored by Isiaka Oladuntoye and Akpos Adubi.
However, with few seconds into stoppage time, substitute, Seka Pascal outran his marker to blast past the hands of Super Eagles shot stopper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, to send the visitors into jubilation as the home crowd went silent.
Coach Olugbenga Ogunbote, who was on Monday crowned Aiteo/NFF Coach-of-the-Year 2018 said after the encounter, “It was a great encounter against an equally good side and it would have been a win for us but for our wastefulness. Except one wants to be selfish, I would say it was two points lost because we had much opportunity to win the match but we make do with the one point we got.”
Midfield maestro, Tony Shimaga who screened the backline well in Katsina said, “We are very happy with the draw against Katsina United. It was a very tough match that we came to win and created the chances but we failed to take them. We go back home to prepare for them and by God’ grace, we shall come out victorious.”
With the draw, Rangers maintain their position on the group A log with eighteen points from nine matches while MFM and Enyimba are occupying the first and second position.
RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Tope Olusesi, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Tony Shimaga, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Godwin Aguda, Solomon Okpako (Ugochukwu Ugwuoke -47th Min.), Koffi Roland, Chidera Ezeh (Godwin Zaki -85th Min.), Michael Uchebo (Seka Pascal – 68th Min.), Akpos Adubi. SUBS NOT USED: Japhet Opubo, Okey Odita, Traore Issif, West Omodu.
