Rising from the goalless draw earned from the match day 23 fixture of NPFL 2019/2020 season inside Agege Township stadium, Lagos against MFM, the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, will this mid-week, February 11, 2020, inside Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, seek the scalp of Katsina United F.C in a rescheduled match day 18 encounter.
Rangers currently are placed 12th on the log with 28 points from 21 matches prosecuted already, earning 7 wins, 7 draws and 7 losses, the coach Salisu Yusuf tutored side is looking to earn the maximum points to steady their quest for a top place finish in the ongoing season while the visiting side from Katsina are on occupying the 10th position with 30 points from 21 matches, winning 8, with six drawn matches and seven losses.
Despite missing some scoring opportunities including a missed penalty kick in the match against MFM, attacking sensation, Israel Abia, who feels a lot of remorse, will likely lead the Enugu side’ attack line with support from the likes of Kenechukwu Agu, Chiamaka Madu and Ibrahim Olawoyin just as Anthony Franklin and Uche John look set to stop the forays of Munir Ubale, Destiny Ashadi, Gambo Mohammed and Tasiu Lawal for the visitors.
Surely, it would be an opportunity for the duo of Tasiu Lawal of Katsina United and Israel Abia of Rangers to add to their goals count for the season with Tasiu already on eight goals while Abia has recorded ten goals.
Coach Henry Makinwa will be coming for this rescheduled encounter on the back of a 3-0 thumping his wards received from Nasarawa United over the weekend in Lafia where Nigeria lost a defense lynchpin, Chineme Martins, to the cold hands of death on the field of play, working to prevent a second loss on the bounce.
Captain of Rangers, Tope Olusesi said ahead of the fixture, “We really need to work very hard to ensure we get the maximum points as we play Katsina United. They are not a small side and we expect a tough game from them but by God’ special grace, we shall emerge victorious.”
Rangers will be missing the services of Ifeanyi George, Godspower Aniefiok, Semiu Liadi, Akpos Adubi, Kelvin Itoya and Christian Madu who are down with one form of injury or the other while the team is boosted with the return of Issif Traore, Pape Ousmane Sane, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Dauda Madaki and Emmanuel Nwokeji from sickness and injuries.
Encounters between both sides have never been easy as odd goals have always separated the ties.
For three seasons running, it has been narrow home wins for either sides with Rangers enjoying an edge last season with a 1-1 draw in Katsina on 03/04/2019 while winning the return leg with a 1-0 score line on 07/04/2019.
In 2017 season, it was a lone goal win for the Katsina side in a match day 16 encounter while Rangers also smiled away with a 2-1 win in Enugu on match day 38 just as it was a 1-0 score that was recorded by both teams at their home grounds in 2018 season in match day 4 and 24.
Coach Henry Makinwa in a chat ahead of the encounter, Tuesday, said, “We are here to play a very good match against a great team under a very sound tactician. A draw is our modest target but a win is not out of place. We are not under any form of pressure despite our loss at the weekend. The game will be very difficult but we have the players to deliver the goods.”
