Enugu Rangers have now gone three games without a win – their worst run this season – and barely holding on to the top spot in the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) after a exciting game ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Sunshine Stars FC in Akure on Wednesday.
The home side took the lead in the first half as Samad Kadiri finished off Okiki Afolabi’s assist. But the Owena Boys were soon pegged back as the Flying Antelopes put up a spirited fight to force a draw going into the break.
Chisom Egbuchulam had have the talismanic effect on the surging run Imama Amapakabo’s men this term and he appeared to be the one to turn to again on the day as he converted a perfectly taken free-kick.
Akure was certainly up for the action and the home side had the fans behind them with a visibly worried Imama pacing the technical area as his team came under intense pressure.
Eventually, the pipe couldn’t hold and it was the provider of the first who stepped up to grab all three for the home team.
Okiki shot the hosts into the lead again – his 8th goal of the season – and on this occasion they managed to hold on starving off everything Rangers threw at them.