2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 35: Enyimba International FC stuns Rangers International in Enugu

Posted : 28 April 2025

The atmosphere in Enugu on Sunday crackled with the fervent energy only an Oriental Derby can produce. Rangers International FC, the reigning champions, stepped onto the pitch brimming with the hopes and unwavering support of their faithful legions.

But alas, football, in its cruel and unpredictable nature, delivered a bitter pill as Enyimba FC, with what can only be described as a fortunate first-half performance, snatched all three points in the Match Day 35 encounter of the NPFL 2024/2025 season.

While the final whistle blew to the muted sighs of the home crowd, the result favored the bitter rivals, Enyimba International FC.

The truth, as any true Rangers supporter who witnessed the game will attest, is that the scoreline hardly reflected the tale of two halves, as Rangers have now lost six home games.

The opening stanza saw the Aba side, against the run of play, capitalize on a free kick that somehow evaded Rangers International’s solid defense and nestled into the net on the 20th minute, courtesy of Innocent Gabriel.

Just six minutes later, a momentary lapse in the usually impenetrable defense of Rangers International FC allowed Ekene Awazie to double their lead. It was a period where luck seemed to abandon the Flying Antelopes, and every bounce of the ball favored the visitors.

But the spirit of Rangers is not so easily extinguished! The introduction of Timothy Atamamwan and the electrifying Chiedozie Okorie in the second half ignited a fire in the team that the Enyimba defense could barely contain.

Wave after wave of relentless attacks crashed against their backline, each move orchestrated with the passion and skill we have come to expect from the players.

The stadium erupted in a thunderous roar on the 66th minute when the tireless Isaac Saviour delivered a pinpoint free kick, finding the head of substitute Chiedozie Okorie at the far post. The deficit was halved, and the momentum had decisively swung in favor of the Coal City Warriors.

The remaining minutes were a testament to the unwavering spirit of Rangers as they created chance after glorious chance, each one met with desperate blocks and last-ditch clearances from a visibly rattled Enyimba defense.

It simply wasn’t to be the best day in front of goal, as fate seemed determined to deny the Flying Antelopes the equalizer, let alone the winner they so richly deserved.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu acknowledged the injustice of the result in his post-match comments. "It was not the result we wanted, but football showed itself again today.

"We had a bad first half where we conceded two goals but came back stronger in the second half, got one goal back but failed to convert more chances that were created. It’s a painful loss, and we grieve over it."

While this defeat stings, it leaves Rangers in 8th position with 49 points.

The next focus now shifts to the prestigious President Federation Cup, where a quarter-final clash against Plateau United awaits the team next weekend in Abuja.

This presents a golden opportunity for our resilient Rangers to bounce back and secure a coveted spot in continental football next season.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 35: Enyimba International FC stuns Rangers International in Enugu

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