In-form Rangers International F.C’ diminutive winger, Chidiebere Nwobodo continued his fine goals scoring form in the ongoing Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament holding inside UNEC Stadium, Enugu, as he scored his 6th of the tourney and assisted one in Thursday, November 18, 2021’ 2-0 win over Enugu Active All-Stars F.C.
The trio of Tope Olusesi, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, and Chinonso Eziekwe were not available for selection as they travelled for the NPFL/Budweiser ‘All-Star Game’ but coach Abdul Maikaba had enough in his armoury to unleash on the opposition that had such names as the goalkeeper, Uche Okafor, John Nnam, Chibuzor Madu, Christian Obiozor, Ogechukwu Anyora, Michael Uchebo, Bishop Onyeudo, and others.
After missing some chances earlier in the game as Christian Nnaji Shedrack Asiegbu, Agu Kenechukwu and Julius Ikechukwu combined well upfront but Uche Okafor was alert to his duties but there was no stopping Nwobodo on the 43rd minute as he raced onto an Adewale Doneyi’ deep pass from defense to outpace his marker and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for the opening goal of the feisty encounter.
Substitute, Daniel Vendaga netted the second goal of the match on 71 minutes as he was set up by a very impressive Chidiebere Nwobodo who reacted fastest to an Ernest Governor’s defense splitting pass.
Elijah Ani and Christian Nnaji both had chances to increase the scoreline but found Uche Okafor too difficult to beat as the referee brought proceedings to an end.
Coach Abdul Maikaba of Rangers said after the match, “It was a difficult and challenging encounter against a set of experienced footballers but we were more determined to earn a win which we got at the end of the day. It shows our resolve to always play to win which was what I said the last time we played. We shall approach our last group match with the same mindset so as to earn the right to remain in Enugu for the semi-final encounter.”
The ‘Flying Antelopes’ comfortably lead Group A. of the 3rd edition of the pre-season tourney put together by former Super Eagles, Ifeanyi Ekwueme with the support of his business partners, Tico/Select kit manufacturers with seven points from three matches scoring eight goals and conceding two.
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