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One of Rangers International new-signings Ifeanyi George played a central figure in their 3-1 win in a Matchday 9 rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.
George got among the goals for Rangers but his energy from the start of the game justified why the Flying Antelopes brought him in during this transfer window to shore up their team following their struggles in all competitions including the league this season.
For Rangers interim coach Chukwuma Agbo it was a first competitive win for him after he led the Enugu-based club to a 0-3 defeat at Zambian side Zesco United which sounded the death knell to their continental outing this year after failures in the Caf Champions League and the Confederation Cup.
The home side Rangers took the initiative as early as 45 seconds. Ifeanyi George who was making his debut for the defending champions took the Pillars defence apart and was fouled in the box leaving the referee with no option than to award a spot kick.
The resultant penalty was converted by the Rangers captain Chibuzor Madu who took his time to pick his spot to slot the ball past Pillars goalkeeper Yusuf Mohammed.
Ifeanyi George who was clearly the man of the match would not stop tormenting the Pillars defence as his combination with Bobby Clement was tough for Pillars to handle.
In the 6th minute Daniel Etor waltzed in from the right flank and his pass found Bobby who in turn gave a beautiful assist to Chiamaka to make it 2-0 to Rangers.
Kano Pillars were simply not in the game as they lacked the drive to unlock the Rangers midfield anchored by Christian Madu with help from Bright Silas and Chiamaka Madu. In the 45th minute Ifeanyi George added his name in the scorers’ list following a pass from Ugwu Uwadiegwu to make it 3-0 to Rangers.
Two minutes into added time Pillars got one goal back after Adamu Mohammed left his marker Christian Madu for deaf before slipping the ball past Akpan Bassey in goal for Rangers.
The second half saw Pillars come on stronger but Rangers defence was resilient and kept their composure.
Kano Pillars assistant coach, Ibrahim Musa, who handled the team in the absence of Kadiri lkhana said they lost the game in the first half as his boys failed to play according to instructions.
“We lost this game in the first half because my boys failed to play to instructions but that’s football for you,” Musa said to npfl.ng after the match.
He claimed that the team did not miss the absence of Ikhana.movie Transformers: The Last Knight trailer
“This is not the first time that we will be losing with a three-goal margin and it’s not because Ikhana was absent but we did not just come to the party,” he said.
He maintained that they will make all the necessary corrections when they get back home.
Man-of-the-match Ifeanyi George said it was a great first outing for his new team. He also praised his partnership with Bobby Clement describing it as superb.
“It’s a great feeling that I did not only score but also put up a good showing in my first game for the club but again it was a team effort and it’s great to come back to winning ways after a long time.
“Myself and Bobby had worked on this combination for a while now, thank God it paid off. He is a great guy and I think we can make it work together. It’s a superb combination and a great team work,” said George.