NPFL: Rangers Beat Visiting Abia Warriors 2-0 In Enugu

By; KELVIN OKPARA, Enugu

Rangers International FC of Enugu on Wednesday evening, grabbed the three points in a re-scheduled match day five in the ongoing 2025/2026 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture, played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

The Flying Antelopes did all their damage in a dominant first half, kissing the net of the visiting side twice to humble the Umuahia-based football club who are still reeling from their recent exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.

Rangers opened scoring in the 17th minute when defensive ace Iwundu Chidozie rose inside the 18-yard box of the Warriors.

He connected with a perfect cross delivered by marauding left-back Evans Ogbonda, nodding the ball home to open the floodgates.

The partnership between Ogbonda and the attackers proved potent once more just 16 minutes later, as the former junior international delivered another well-placed cross, which veteran striker and “Fox in the box,” Godwin Obajeof , expertly connected with to double the lead in the 33rd minute.

The team, tutored by absent head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu (who is away with the Super Eagles but provided “telepathic insights” to chief coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu and his crew), deployed a sharp 4-3-3 formation.

This attacking setup, featuring Obaje, Waheed Adebayo, and skipper Chidiebere Nwobodo, kept the Abia Warriors’ defense under constant pressure throughout the match.

Despite several efforts by Rangers to extend their advantage in the second half, the resilient Abia Warriors stoutly rebuffed any further damage.

However, the day belonged to the hosts, with midfield maestro Ugochukwu Ugwuoke putting in a “mercurial best” performance, his crisp passes and deft touches drawing appreciative applause from the home fans.

Speaking with Sports writers during the post match media briefing, Coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu said after “It was a great game and a good win for us as we continue our push for a respectable finish in the league.

“No doubt, Abia Warriors have us a tough game but we had our plans cut out right from the start of the game and our approach to the game was positive. We move on to the next match and we are also positive going into that match.”

The vital win sees Rangers International FC climb up to the 5th spot on the league log with a total of 11 points from seven matches.

Their attention must now turn quickly to a difficult away trip on Sunday, October 12, 2025, where they will travel to the Lafia City Stadium to engage table-topping Nasarawa United in a match day 8 fixture.

On his part, Warriors Coach, Imama Amapakabo. congratulated Rangers from the victory, saying both sides gave account of themselves.

The former Rangers handler, blamed the defeat on some errors by his boys, saying they would go back to the drawing board ahead of their next game.

Amapakabo however, lamented the delay tactics exhibited by Rangers during the match, as the ball boys were allegedly deliberately delaying in throwing back into the pitch balls that rolled outside the pitch, saying such action is not good for the NPFL.