Rangers International Head Coach, Abdul Maikaba, has admitted that the Flying Antelopes’ chances of qualifying for the next continental competition has been shattered by their defeat to Gombe United on Sunday and blames it on his players’ poor emotional composure in the NPFL matchday 37 game, Completesports.com reports.
Speaking after the match that ended 1-0 in favor of the Savannah Scorpions at the Pantami Stadium Gombe, Maikaba said the match was won and lost fair and square.
Gombe United’s solitary winner was scored by substitute, Ibrahim Yahaya on the 47th minute. And Maikaba rued his players’ distractive temperament in the second half.
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“I can say that we lost and the Gombe side deserve to win the game, more especially in the second half. My boys lost their heads and were collecting cards,” Maikaba told Completesports.com.
“However poor the officiating was, I don’t think they should behave as they did. It is not good for football. I expected them to control themselves and that could have given us result if we had kept our heads down. I am not happy with their behavior actually”.
Speaking on the implication of the result, Maikaba admitted that Rangers’ chances of qualifying for a continental competition has been lost.
Maikaba said: “The implication is that we cannot qualify to represent Nigeria. It is very difficult, the chance is almost zero.
“So, it’s football and l think we will restrategize and move ahead.”
Rangers are currently fifth in the 2021/22 NPFL table on 53 points from 37 games. They will host Akwa United on the last day of the season (match-day 38) at the Awka City Stadium on Sunday, July 17.
By Chigozie Chukwuleta.
