NPFL: Rangers Victory

A late goal from Chisom Egbuchulam was the tonic Rangers needed to leave the Umuahia Township Stadium with a much deserved point in one of the oriental derbies of match day 32 in the Glo Premier League. The visitors got to a commanding start in the 18th minute, when Bobby Clement headed home Etim Matthew's cross from the far right. Chisom Chikatara restored parity for the home side close to the half hour mark from a penalty.

 Odah Onoriode restored Rangers' advantage in the 56th minute with a stunning strike from 15 yards, but Chikatara levelled terms with an absolute screamer in the 68th minute.

Chikatara sent Emmanuel Daniel the wrong way for his hat-trick seven minutes to the end, from the spot, but Rangers' substitute Egbuchulam scrambled the ball past Chinedu Anozie at the death, to stun the home fans. Ladan Bosso dropped four from the side that lost to Sunshine Stars on match day 31. Chikatara and Ndifreke Effiong were restored to the starting line up in place of Emeka Nwanna and Shedrack Asiegbu, who was ruled out due to injury.

Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo made five changes to the side that defeated Kwara United in Enugu on Sunday. Clement and Onoriode were preferred to Emmanuel Eze and Godwin Aguda, while Okey Odita replaced Ousmane Pape Sane.

It was the visitors who dominated proceedings in the first quarter of an hour. First, Anozie tipped away Osas Okoro's 25 yards free kick for a corner in the 14th minute, before they were forced to concede two quick corners as the pressure piled. Clement gave Rangers the lead three minutes later, when he rushed in, to connect Etim's cross, past an helpless Anozie. Effiong came close to putting his side back on level terms in the 25th minute, but was denied by Emmanuel. Five minutes later, Bolaji Sakin was brought down inside the Rangers' area. Chikatara slammed home from the resultant spot kick for Abia Warriors' equalizer. Anozie stretched at full length to deny Okoro from spinning in a 30 yards freekick, ten minutes to the break. Seven minutes into the second half, Chinedu Udeagha's pile driver ended in Anozie's face, but Onoriode's blazing strike inside the area, four minutes later, was too strong for the Abia Warriors goalkeeper, as Rangers took the lead again.

Chikatara's screamer in the 68th minute, brought the home side back to the game. But the home side got in front for the first time in the afternoon, when Odita handled the ball inside his own penalty area in the 83rd minute, for Chikatara to fire home his third of the match day and 13th of the season from the spot. But there was still time for some late drama, as Rangers kept pushing for an equalizer. They got their reward at the stroke of full time, when substitute Egbuchulam managed to scheme the ball past Anozie to share the spoils.

Match details

Abia Warriors: Anozie; Egbo, Garba, Ochuba, ThankGod, Obaroakpo, Effiong, Binaebi, Chikatara, Irumekhai, Bolaji

Rangers: Emmanuel; Etim, Anyasodo, Madu, Kalu, Odita, Okoro, Anubi, Clement, Udeagha, Onoriode

Match Stats:

Fouls: 13-13

Corners 5-6

Offsides 4-4

Shots 9-10

On Target 5-6

Yellow Cards 2-4

Red Cards 0-0

Possession 48%-52%

Source: www.npfl.ng