The Head Coach of Rangers International, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has attributed his team’s hard-fought 2-2 draw at Sunshine Star on Sunday to the Flying Antelopes’ ‘never say die’ spirit, Completesports.com reports.
Godwin Obaje’s early goal in the fourth minute gave Rangers an edge, answered by Ibrahim Yusuf’s swift equalizer in the 13th minute. Moses Omodumueke put the home side ahead in the 76th minute, but Osimaga Duke’s own-goal in injury time brought Rangers level again at 90+3 minutes.
Following the draw at Sunshine Stars, Rangers now sit in third position in the NPFL table with 14 points from eight games – three points behind leaders, Lobi Stars (17 points) and one point behind second-placed Remo Stars who have a game in hand.
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Speaking after the gruelling showdown at Akure Township Stadium, Ilechukwu reiterated that the match was played by his team with sheer resilience.
“It was just a game of not giving up. In football, even if you have just one minute, you must play and anything can happen,” Ilechukwu said.
“Sunshine got it right in the second half but not giving up is our strength. And you know our name: ‘Up Rangers, Never Say Die’ until the final whistle. I think that’s what happened today and we will keep on pushing.”
Speaking on Rangers’ failure to hold on to their early-minute goal, Ilechukwu said, “It is so painful in our defense line – that the work we have been doing for months now, we’ve not gotten it right as far as l am concerned for now.
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“Conceding two goals, for Rangers, is a shame. It is a disgrace. Defenders and goalkeepers must live up to expectations. If you look at the defense today, they were so poor.
“I am not happy about that, but l think we will keep on working. We will keep on giving others a chance, to see what we can do about it.”
On the Rangers’ objectives for the 2023/2024 season, Ilechukwu said; “It’s one after the other. Today we’ve gotten a point here, we now talk about the next game. It’s just week eight – if anybody tells you that he will win the league by this time, the person is lying. It is not true. Around week 30, and 31, we would start seeing what is going to happen.”
By Chigozie Chukwuleta
