Match Review: Rangers Int’l vs Niger Tornadoes

Recap

Niger Tornadoes stood their ground in Awka

It was really a shocking display in the early part of the second half of the match day 14 fixture at the Awka City Stadium as Rangers International surrendered a two-goal lead as the visiting Niger Tornadoes fought back to earn a share of the spoil in a four-goal thriller.

Host, Rangers had started the tie on a very bright note with chances falling for Reuben Bala and Godwin Obaje but Lucky Jimoh made brilliant saves to prevent early goals as coach Abdul Maikaba of Rangers made only two alterations to the starting squad that earned draw in Akure on match day 13.

Chidiebere Nwobodo netted the opening goal of the encounter in 24 minutes as he followed up a spilled ball from the goalkeeper who had beaten out a Godwin Obaje’ effort and at the half-hour mark, teenage sensational left-back, Kenneth Igboke, powered home his side’s second goal when he was set up by Chidiebere Nwobodo.

More chances came for the home side to wrap up the fixture in the first half but Chidiebere Nwobodo and Godwin Obaje failed to score on 35 and 42 minutes in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, Lucky Jimoh.

The visitors came out of the dressing room for the second stanza looking much hungrier as their early dominance produced a goal through substitute, Idris Munir who benefited from a hesitant defending on 49 minutes and before the hour mark, it was all-square as Munir tapped into a yawning net after some fine dribbling run from fellow substitute, Nurudeen Jimoh.

The visitors had another opportunity at 66 minutes but Abba Khalid’ effort after a massy run at the host’s backline was cleared on the line while Chidera Ezeh failed to convert a late penalty kick and awarded the home side for a handball incident.

Chief Coach Mbwas Mangut of Rangers said after the encounter, “This was a big disappointment from us in a game we had total dominance in the first half which we surrendered in fourteen minutes of the second half. It is very painful and we now have to work extra to salvage these lost points on the road in our next match. It is a really very difficult time for us but we call for the patience of the teaming supporters of our club as we need everything to go into the last four games of the season to come up victorious.”

With the result, Rangers drop to the 8^th spot on the Group B log with 15 points from fourteen matches and will next engage, Dakkada F.C of Uyo in a match day 15 fixture at the ‘Nest of Champions’, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.