Rangers rue missed opportunity against El-Kanemi in league opener

Defending champions, Enugu Rangers began their journey to retain their title with a draw against El-kanemi Warriors, at the weekend, a game their coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, described as their worst in recent times.

But not deterred by the outcome, Ilechukwu said his side would go back to re-strategise ahead of the remaining games of the season.

The NPFL kicked off at the weekend with only one game between Rangers and El-Kanemi. The other teams will join the fray next weekend in the various centers across the country.

Ilechukwu said the game against El-Kanemi has opened his eyes to the enormous job he needs to do on his team, as they prepare for an important two-legged affair against Angola’s Sagrada Esperança in the CAF Champions League second-round playoff.

“It’s a general (team problem) thing. We have to sit down and analyse everything that happened today. (In this game) we did less than what people expected of us, and even what we expected from ourselves. We won’t kill ourselves though it is a disappointing outcome but we must forge ahead.

“It is very concerning (ahead of our CAF Champions League match against Angola’s Sagrada). This same (performance) thing happened in our last game on the continent and when things like this happen you have to realise that we have to sit down and start analysing our stats and putting heads together to find a solution especially as we have some days ahead to prepare for the next game,” Ilechukwu said.

Rangers will face Sagrada Esperança at home on the weekend of September 13 and 15 before heading to Angola the following weekend for the return leg with their league fixtures against Ikorodu City and Bayelsa United on match days 2 and 3 in view.

Also speaking on the draw, Rangers captain, Chinemerem Ugwueze, said the goalless draw with El-Kanemi Warriors has allowed them to know where improvements are needed in their game.

Ugwueze told NPFLmedia that they did better than the result suggests, adding: “The result wasn’t what we were expecting. I believe we are better than this but our plans didn’t go as mapped out. Really, it is just a bad day at the office.”

He acknowledged that goal scoring has been their bane, adding that their coaches are working hard to correct that.

“Without goals, there is no way you can win a game. We don’t want to use the word “a major problem” considering the games that we have played in the face of the goal drought. The league is just starting and I believe with time we will improve. It’s more difficult because of the CAF Champions League we have on the ground. I believe with time we will get there.

“There is always room for improvement (for the new signings) of course.

The old players, many of them played one season for the Rangers and were fortunate enough to be crowned champions last season. I think the new players won’t be an exception as I believe with time if we work together definitely we will achieve (something),” said Ugwueze.