NPFL: “It’s a setback” – Fidelis Ilechukwu reacts to Enugu Rangers draw with Akwa United

By Wale Mustapha

Enugu Rangers head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has criticized his team’s performance following their 1-1 draw against Akwa United on Sunday.

The reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions were held to a draw by struggling Akwa United in one of the Matchday 29 clashes in Enugu.

A second-half goal from Isaac Savior salvaged a point for the Flying Antelopes, who had been trailing for over an hour after Kabir Osoba’s sublime finish put Akwa United ahead.

Ilechukwu expressed his disappointment, attributing the result to his side’s failure to properly respect their relegation-threatened opponents.

“I think we did not put in our best in the first half, maybe due to Akwa United’s position on the log, and it nearly cost us the match,” Ilechukwu said in a statement to Rangers’ media.

“It is quite unfortunate that what we expected was not what we saw in the game. I feel my players underrated our opponent. This result is a very big setback to the team’s ambition.”