Warm-up match: Rangers beat Akwa United
Two second-half goals off the feet of Solomon Chigoziem and Denis Nya on 58 and 84 minutes of play for host’ Akwa United ensured that Rangers International F.C tested its first defeat in its build-up to the fast-approaching season in a pre-season friendly encounter in Eket.
The encounter took place at the 18,000 seater newly commissioned Eket Township Stadium with lots of football fans and political gladiators thronging the edifice to see the match.
Coach Abdul Maikaba kept faith with the match-day squad that was forced to a 1-1 draw by Rivers United a fortnight ago in Port-Harcourt in another friendly fixture with youthful shot-stopper, Chizoba Oko handed another start.
Tried as much as they did, the trio of Reuben Bala, Michael Ibe, and Elijah Ani could not trouble the backline of the host despite holding out in the middle of the pack where defensive midfielder, Emmanuel Charles showed class.
The introduction of Moses Effiong by the host proved the turning point in the game as his expertise in dead ball situations proved decisive as one of his well-struck corner-kick was nodded home for the opening goal while he was also involved in the buildup that resulted in the second for the host while it was cases of near misses for Inemesit Sunday and Eso Achibong on 76 and 87 minutes of play.
Rangers will next play Dakkada F.C in another friendly encounter in Uyo, before returning to base.
