NPFL 25: Rangers Best Not Good Enough Against Abia Warriors - Ilechukwu

NPFL 25: Rangers Best Not Good Enough Against Abia Warriors - Ilechukwu

Precious Oham

Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the match day 25 NPFL encounter with Abia Warriors, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

A late first-half slip-up due to a loss in concentration by the backline of the reigning NPFL Champions ensured that Abia Warriors snatched all points at stake with a 1-0 scoreline in a match day 25, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Ilechukwu had stuck with the squad that defeated table toppers Remo Stars at the weekend save for left-back Kenneth Igboke, who had returned to the national U-20 training camp, and the match day squad took the battle to the home side with the uneven nature of the pitch causing some hindrances.

With just a few minutes to the end of the first stanza, after both sides had cancelled themselves out in the earlier part of the game, Abia Warriors’ forward, Anthony Ijoma was allowed much space as his team went on a counter down the left flank to let fly a shot that caught Rangers shot stopper unawares on 43 minutes as the large crowd of fans rose in celebrations.

Ilechukwu said after the encounter, “It was a great game. I think we did our best, but our best is not enough, this is a match. We have one or two things to take home, and we are still positive about what we can achieve by the end of the season."

With the loss, Rangers now occupy the 6th spot on the log with 38 points from twenty-five matches and will next play Sunshine Stars in a match day 26 fixture on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.