Rangers fall 1-2 at home to Lobi Stars, supporters call for improvement

By Nicholas Obisike and Seyi Adio
Rangers International Football Club of Enugu lost 1-2 to visiting Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi on Wednesday in a Match Day 2 fixture of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Samad Kadiri put the visitors in front in the 15th minute of play, while Ayo Saka helped Lobi Stars to make it 2-0 in the 65th minute after, nodding in a corner-kick.

Chiamaka Madu reduced the tally for the Flying Antelopes in the 85th minute from the penalty kick spot after an infringement by Lobi Stars’ skipper Anthony Agbaji.

Speaking after the match, Rangers’ Media Officer, Norbert Okolie, told newsmen that the club would soon get back to winning ways.

“Football is dynamic. Sometimes you lose and sometimes you win. So, it is still early to start panicking as the league is still open.

“Even though we have lost two league matches in the new season, but we believe that with time we will get it right and get back to winning ways to make up for the six points lost so far,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers had lost their week one match 0-2 against hosts Akwa United in Uyo on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Rangers FC supporters showed their grievances with the home loss by calling for the Technical Adviser, Olugbenga Ogunbote, to be shown the exit door if he failed to improve.

One of the supporters, Ikechukwu Arum, said he was not happy with the club’s performance and players’ selection.

“This is not the face of Rangers players we know. We need our old players and we do not need this coach, because he is not a good coach.

“How can he start the game with only three players out of the old players retained? And, who told him that Rangers do not have culture?

“He should have started the game with the old players, and then inject into the game only a few of the new players and introduce others as the league progresses.

“In fact, for this coach to bench Godwin Aguda, Nana Bonsu, Ebuka Okeke and others shows that he does not know what he is doing,’’ Arum said.