Defending champions of the annual Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament, Rangers International F.C started the defense of the title they last year with a pulsating 1-1 draw against national league side, Lamray United F.C of Enugu as the tournament kicked off on Sunday, November 14, 2021, inside UNEC Stadium, Enugu.
Rangers’ fast-rising winger, Chidiebere Nwobodo scored first for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ on 24 minutes as he ran onto a defense splitting pass from left-back, Philip Clement to stun the lower league side that had started the encounter on a more promising note with former youth international, Divine Nwachukwu, Emeka Ekeh, Shedrack Charles and Izuchukwu Ogbodo pulling the strings.
Pressures by Rangers’ quartet of Elijah Ani, Ejike Uzoenyi, Samuel Pam, and Shedrack Asiegbu to increase the tally could not yield more goals as both teams retired to the dressing room.
The coach Jude Agada led side got the equalizer on 72 minutes after the premiership side’s backline left much space for Ifeanyi Ezeorah to nod home from an inch-perfect cross by a teammate to have a share of the spoils as the chase for who will emerge champions of the preseason tournament continues on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, in Enugu and Owerri that is hosting the second group.
Lamray United’s Divine Nwachukwu was voted the M.V.P of the match and was rewarded with some Select Sports materials by the organizers of the tournament.
