We’re in Calabar for three maximum points, says Coach Amapakabo

Coach of Rangers of Enugu, Imama Amapakabo, is optimistic his team will get the three maximum points offered in today’s away clash against Enyimba of Aba in an Oriental’s derby.

The People’s Elephants game against the Flying Antelopes is a Match Day 17 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) holding at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Amapakabo said his idea was to secure all the three maximum points available as the clash against a giant team like the Enyimba is no exception.

“The fixture against Enyimba is a duel that Rangers will always play and go for the maximum points. In every league match I always go for the maximum points at stake and I am going to claim this.

“Though Enyimba is a big team with a lot of pedigree in the NPFL, they have won the league on several occasions. We know what they are capable of doing, as they are not push over. They are one of the big teams in national league and so one cannot afford to underrate them, just as we too should not be underrated,” he said.

Amapakabo’s team crashed out of the money-spinning CAF Champions League group stage of the competition and is currently at the bottom the NPFL.

While reacting to the three-match ultimatum rumour given by the club’s management, he said: “I do not know anything about that, I am just hearing it from you. We have been coping with a small squad that we have and when you have a lot of matches to play with the situation at hand, one has to make do with what is available.

“We are still in the race for the league title, as this is just week 17th of the NPFL. No team yet can be declared winner of the league because I have not seen anywhere a title is awarded at Week 16 of the NPFL. The title I believe is given after Week 38 and league is still young and nobody should be written off yet,” he concluded.

However, Rangers tutored by Coach Gbenga Ogunbote are eighth on the log of the NPFL.