Fidelis Ilechukwu Reacts After Rangers' Painful Oriental Derby Defeat to Enyimba
It was a night of heartbreak for Rangers International fans as their team suffered a tough 2-1 loss to Enyimba in the highly anticipated Oriental derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday.
Despite dominating spells of the game, the Flying Antelopes couldn't make their chances count. Innocent Gabriel and Ekene Awazie found the net for Enyimba, while Chidozie Okorie’s lone goal for Rangers only served as consolation.
Speaking after the match, Rangers' manager Fidelis Ilechukwu couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“It was not the result we wanted, but football showed itself again," Ilechukwu admitted in a post-match interview.
"We had a bad first half where we let in two goals but came back stronger in the second stanza, got a goal back but failed to convert more chances that were created. It’s a painful loss, and we grieve over the loss."
The defeat saw Rangers slip to eighth position on the NPFL table with 49 points after 35 games. They now face a crucial tie against Rivers United in Port Harcourt as they hope to bounce back strongly.
Our Opinion:
While the Oriental derby loss stings deeply for Rangers fans, there’s no denying the fighting spirit the team showed in the second half. Coach Ilechukwu’s honesty is refreshing, and if his boys can channel their frustration into hunger, there’s still hope to finish the season on a strong note. In football, it's not just how you fall — it’s how you rise again. 🦅🔥
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