After coming from behind to wallop former champions Kano Pillars 4-1 in Awka in a MatchDay 5 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, Rangers’ assistant coach Suleiman Alli has described the overwhelming victory as a huge morale booster for the Flying Antelopes’ title aspirations. “This win means a lot towards achieving our set targets for the season”, he gushed, speaking with NPFL News post-match.
The result landed Rangers, who were third on the log at the close of MatchDay 4, at the top of the table. Only an unlikely victory with a three-goal margin by Lobi Stars against River United in Port Harcourt, and a 5-0 outcome in Ibadan (Shooting Stars v Doma United) will change the complex of the fledging table for Rangers.
A euphoric Alli added: “This is a very big win for us and we give God all the glory. It was a difficult match against a team with the immediate past coach of Rangers. We had to shrug off the early deficit and had a better second half where we killed off the game. We thank our supporters for being there for us even when we were behind”.
Chukwudi Nwaodu, whose two second half goals killed off whatever ideas Pillars had of coming back into the game, described his colleagues’ performance as a big win.
“It was a great win for us and we played against a big side in Kano Pillars. I am very happy for the goals I scored today and even much happier for the victory for our club, Rangers especially coming from a goal down to equalize and having the goals rush in the second half.
“At 0-1, I was positive that we would emerge victorious due largely to the fact that we have a team with young players filled with running energy. We will continue to push on for better results”.
Rangers will have their sights on Port Harcourt and Ibadan hoping that Rivers United will secure at least a point at home from fourth placed Lobi Stars, while Shooting Stars will not record a massive result over Doma United in Ibadan.
The Pride of Rivers and Doma United are way down the ladders not to go for maximum points. With four matches played, Rivers have the same number of points and place just two steps above the drop zone, while Doma have the same statistics except have a goal difference advantage over Rivers.
Remo Stars, who are resting as they fixture against Enyimba has been postponed, are in No. 2, while third placed Gombe United had they game yesterday.
Sunday matches: Katsina United v Sunshine Stars, Abia Warriors v Heartland, Rivers United v Lobi Stars, Bayelsa United v Kwara United, Shooting Stars v Doma United (all 4 pm WAT); Sporting Lagos v Niger Tornadoes (6pm); Enyimba v Remo Stars (postponed)
Saturday results: Gombe United 1-0 Plateau United, Bendel Insurance 0-0 Akwa United, Rangers 4-1 Kano Pillars
