"I think it was a great game today for both teams. Scoring three goals in an away game is not an easy one but conceding four goals is not acceptable in football", words of Fidelis Ilechukwu, coach of Enugu Rangers after their 4-3 defeat to Kastina United in their matchday 29 clash of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League Season, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
Rangers blistering unbeaten run in eleven games came to an in Kastina as their efforts to salvage at least a point was dashed in the far North.
Azeez Falolu put the host in the lead on the fifth minutes of the encounter but Isaac Saviour levelled for the visitors five minutes later. The highly intensed game which produced five goals in the 1st half saw the host regaim their lead in the 16th minutes through Michael Okoro Ibe but again, the visitors responede immediately with Godwin Obaje scoribg the equaliser in the 17th minute.
Michael Okoro Ibe completed his brace of the game giving the host the advantage going into the break with his goal in the 3rd minute of the additional time as Andrew Idoko extended the lead to 4-2 five minutes into the second half.
Joel Odoh scored Rangers 3rd of the game on the 81st minute, leaving the spectators on the edge of the of their seats for a nervy final minutes of the encounter in Kastina.
Ilechukwu, who was saddened by the outcome of the game, said they would psyche the players and make corrections ahead of their next league encounter.
"I am so sad about that, but we can only move on as today’s game is gone. All we need to do is to psyche the boys up identify the challenging area and make the corrections going into our next game."
Currently top of the log with 51 points from 29 matches, same as second place Lobi Stars but with a superior goals difference, Rangers will host Abia Warriors on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at ‘The Cathedral’, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
By Oluwayemi Omolagba