Ilechukwu praises players as Rangers, Enyimba prepare for ‘Super Sunday’

Coach of Rangers Football Club of  Enugu, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has said that his players are gradually overcoming the disappointment of being knocked out of the CAF Champions League and would be fully prepared for this weekend’s top-of-the-table Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) clash with Remo Stars in Ikenne.

Rangers were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by the Angolan side,  Sagrada Esperanca, at the weekend, but the Flying Antelopes came back to beat Ikorodu City in a rescheduled NPFL game, on Wednesday.
 
Speaking after the 1-0 win at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, Ilechukwu said his team are gradually returning to their best after the Angola debacle, saying that the failure in Luanda demoralised the boys and the technical crew were forced to work extra hard to get them ready for Wednesday’s game.
 
“I must thank our psychologist for doing a good job on the boys before this game. We are now preparing for this weekend’s game against Remo Stars, who are the best team in the country right now.
 
“I am sure we will be ready for the game. I know it is going to be very difficult.”  He congratulated Ikorodu City for giving his team a tough fight, saying that the Lagos-based club have many fast-paced youngsters, whose speed posed great problems for Rangers while tipping the newly promoted side to ruffle some feathers in the league, this season.
 
On the game against Remo Stars, Ilechukwu said that he is trying to work on Rangers’ goal-scoring problem, saying, “I don’t understand why a team that was one of the highest goal scorers last season now finds it difficult to score goals.
 
“Our inability to convert our chances cost us dearly in the Champions League, and it is a thing that we want to address soon. We are suffering because of lack of goals.”
 
While Enugu Rangers will be a way to Remo Stars this weekend, Enyimba of Aba, who defeated Lobi Stars in their rescheduled Week Two game also on Wednesday say that they are primed for a classic tie with Rivers United in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
 
Rivers United who recorded an away win against Lobi Stars at the weekend are now in second position on the log.  Having missed the continent this season after two consecutive appearances in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, Rivers United, now under former Enyimba Coach, Finidi George, are eyeing a return to Africa’s elite club competition.
 
But Enyimba Coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, has said that Finidi’s ambition cannot stop his team from achieving league success this season. Olanrewaju, who was Finidi’s deputy for three years, led Enyimba to a third-place finish last term and now wants his first crown as head coach.
 
Praising his team’s resilience after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lobi Stars on Wednesday, Olanrewaju said: “The league is a marathon and every game counts. Getting maximum points at home is crucial.

“We’re putting this game behind us and focusing on Rivers United. I’m very excited with the form my boys have shown so far.”
Enyimba FC’s victory moves them up the NPFL standings, bolstering their title ambitions. The win also marked a positive return to league action for the People’s Elephant, following their recent continental engagements.