NPFL: Remo Stars extend perfect record to four against Rangers

Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International FC lost 2-1 in the 2024/2025 NPFL, Match Day 4 fixture to last season’s league runner-up, Remo Stars in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu stuck with the majority of the starting squad that earned a win over Ikorodu City, midweek, with the trio of Okorie Chiedozie, Tekena Garando and Agu Kenechukwu taking the places of Frank Uwumiro, Anayor Ogbonna and Kazeem Ogunleye in a 4-5-1 formation that caused the host some anxious moments early in the game.

Tried as both sides did to breach each other’ backline in the first period of the highly entertaining fixture, there was no goal to show for their efforts as Lucky Abdullahi was the busier of the two shot stoppers.

However, three goals within a space of ten minutes in the second period, decided the encounter in favor of coach Daniel Ogunmodede’ side as Young Oyowah stabbed home the opening goal on 51 minutes which ignited the attacking power of the visitors as Effimi Nsi was upended inside the box after been fed by Ugwueze Chinecherem who dribbled past four opponents like hot knife on butter and the referee wasted no time in awarding a penalty that was expertly converted by Agu Kenechukwu on 56 minutes.

Tochukwu Michael benefited from a momentary drop in concentration by the Rangers backline to blast his side’ second goal at the hour mark to send the home fans into wild celebrations.

The introduction of the trio of Silas Nenrot, Williams Wonah, and Daniel Onyia by coach Ilechukwu helped in pushing back the host but failed to get the much-sought equalizer.

The win extended the Sky Blue Stars perfect record in the league to four straight wins.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu in a post-match chat, said, “It was a good game. I think we have started coming up. I am happy with outcome of the game. I love the way my players approached the game today despite the result. The two matches we played after exiting the continental competition have shown that there is hope for our aspirations this season. The weak link we have noticed will be worked upon and hopefully we shall bounce back on a positive note.”

Rangers will on Thursday, October 3, 2024, tackle Bayelsa United in a rescheduled match day 3 fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu.