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NPFL: Akwa United stun Enugu Rangers In pre-season friendly
By Niyi Busari
Rangers International were beaten 2-0 by former Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Akwa United in a warm-up match ahead of 2022/23 NPFL kick off on Sunday.
The encounter which took place at the 18,000 seated newly commissioned Eket Township Stadium saw lots of football fans and political gladiators thronging the edifice to see the match.
Two second half goals off the feet of Solomon Chigoziem and Denis Nya in the 58th and 84th minutes of play for hosts Akwa United ensured that Rangers International F.C tasted its first defeat in the build up to the fast approaching season.
Rangers 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.
The trio attack of Reuben Bala, Michael Ibe and Elijah Ani could not trouble the backline of the hosts 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.
Effiong, who was also involved in the buildup that resulted in the second for the hosts while it was cases of near misses for Inemesit Sunday and Eso Achibong on 76 and 87 minutes of the encounter.
Rangers will next play Dakkada F.C in another friendly encounter in Uyo, before returning to base.
Rangers finished 5th in the 2021/22 NPFL table with 56 points, just two behind Nigeria’s CAF Confederation Cup representative, Kwara United.
