Rangers International led for most of the period of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season raising hopes of their fans that finally the lack of cup jinx will finally be broken.
But the Flying Antelopes influential attacking midfielder Godwin Aguda has played down that performance which he described as average and has promised an improved performance in the second stanza of the season to win the league title to reward the loyalty of their fans.
He said his team will emerge more formidable in the second stanza with positive results. "This is the only way we can give back to our teeming fans who have giving all to reignite the historic love and loyalty to Rangers International," Aguda said.
Aguda said the first half of the league has provided both the coaches and players some food for thought and promised that they have taken stock of their mistakes and will be plotting possible strategies to beat their rivals to the trophy.
The Flying Antelopes' long reign atop the league table ended on Match Day 19 after they drew 0-0 with Oriental neighbours, Heartland at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Rivers United took over the reins with 31 points while Kano Pillars and Rangers trail respectively as closest contenders with 29 points apiece. However this comes after the expulsion of Giwa FC which had their results cancelled.
The youngster, who joined Rangers from MFM spoke from his Coal City base to npfl.ng and expressed optimism that his team will make a comeback to the top on the other half of the season.
"We started the season with a good prospect of winning a trophy and had been top of the pack for close to two months before the recent change. The points difference between my team and Rivers United is just two. I believe we will get back to the top soon," Aguda stated.
Asked if he was worried by the pressure of more than three decades without a silverware, Aguda was quick to dispel the notion of any pressure on the squad. "I am not worried about the tales of Rangers being without a trophy in a long time. I am concerned about when I joined the team and the achievement I am able to make with my teammates," he said.
Aguda, joined the Flying Antelopes last season during the short-lived reign of Kelechi Emetole as coach. He is a product of Christ Ambassador Academy in Lagos before his switch to the top-flight side. Aguda has had to start most games since Imama Amapakabo took charge, playing in all 18 matches for Rangers this season and recently earned an invitation to the national Under-23 team.
Born to parents of Kogi State decent, the striker remains optimistic about Rangers chances of ending their trophy drought and said emphatically that the club will certainly win the league in the current campaign.
"This is our year and our time. I am thinking of continental football though with trophy celebration prior to that because it's part of my career dream," he said.
Probed to point at threats to their title aspirations, Aguda listed Kano Pillars and champions Enyimba International as the other title favourites.
Aguda has scored four league goals this season against Niger Tornadoes, Enyimba International, Giwa FC and Wikki Tourists and revealed he is also focusing on emerging top scorer.
"I am also keen about goalscoring since I learnt that Godwin Obaje of Wikki Tourists is the league's top scorer with 12 goals," he stated.