Rangers International head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has described injured midfielder Azeez Olamilekan Falolu as arguably the best midfielder in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), expressing concern over the player’s potential month-long absence following the Flying Antelopes’ 2-0 victory against MC Alger in the CAF Champions League.
Falolu sustained an injury during Sunday’s first-leg encounter of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League second preliminary round at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta.
Although Rangers secured an important victory over the Algerian champions, the midfielder’s injury emerged as a major concern for the technical crew ahead of upcoming domestic and continental assignments.
‘Absolutely the Best Midfielder in the League’
Speaking exclusively to Sports247 after the encounter, Ilechukwu was full of praise for Falolu, highlighting the midfielder’s discipline, technical quality and importance to the team.
“Absolutely the best midfielder in the league currently, discipline and quality-wise. It is a great loss for the team. We will surely miss him,” Ilechukwu declared.
The Rangers coach’s assessment underlined the high regard in which he holds the midfielder, whose absence could create a significant challenge for the team’s midfield organisation.
Falolu’s injury comes at a crucial period for the Flying Antelopes, who are competing on both domestic and continental fronts.
Ilechukwu also provided an early indication of the midfielder’s potential recovery timeline, suggesting that he could be sidelined for approximately four weeks.
“Possibly a month out, but we will try as much as possible to get the job done till he is back. I wish him a quick recovery,” the coach told Sports247.
While the exact nature and severity of the injury have not been confirmed, the estimated recovery period suggests Rangers may need to navigate several important fixtures without the midfielder.
The technical crew will now be hoping for positive medical updates as Falolu begins his recovery. Falolu’s potential absence comes at a particularly demanding stage of Rangers’ season.
The Flying Antelopes secured a valuable 2-0 first-leg advantage against MC Alger despite being reduced to 10 men early in the encounter. Two late goals ensured Rangers claimed victory and strengthened their prospects of reaching the CAF Champions League group stage.
However, with the return leg scheduled for October 23 in Algeria, Ilechukwu may have to reorganise his midfield options. The coach’s comments suggest that maintaining the team’s competitive level without Falolu will require contributions from other members of the squad.
Despite acknowledging the significance of the injury, Ilechukwu remains determined to ensure Rangers continue producing positive results.
His assurance that the team will work to get the job done until Falolu returns reflects his confidence in the squad’s ability to respond to setbacks.
For Rangers, the immediate priority will be managing the midfielder’s recovery while maintaining momentum in their pursuit of domestic and continental success.
Although the 2-0 victory over MC Alger provided a major boost, Ilechukwu’s post-match assessment made one thing clear: losing Azeez Olamilekan Falolu is a significant setback, and Rangers will be eager to welcome him back as soon as possible.
