Federation Cup: Rangers GM Ezeaku Warns Players Against Complacency Ahead of Rivers United Clash
The General Manager of Rangers International F.C., Amobi Ezeaku, has urged his players to shift their focus from their recent Nigeria Premier Football League triumph and concentrate on the President Federation Cup.
The Flying Antelopes are set to face Rivers United F.C. in a highly anticipated Round of 32 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Ezeaku congratulated the players on securing the NPFL title but stressed that celebrations must not distract them from their ambition of winning another trophy this season.
According to him, Rivers United will be highly motivated after narrowly missing out on the league title to Rangers and are likely to approach the cup tie with extra determination.
He warned the players to expect a difficult contest and challenged them to maintain their focus as they pursue a domestic double.
The Rangers chief also emphasized that winning both the league and the Federation Cup would represent a remarkable achievement for the Enugu-based club and further cement their dominance this season.
Opinion: The Real Test of Champions Starts Now
Amobi Ezeaku’s message is one that every successful team eventually faces: how to stay hungry after achieving a major objective.
Winning the NPFL title was a tremendous accomplishment for Rangers, but history shows that champions often struggle when celebrations linger too long. The challenge now is whether the players can quickly switch their mindset from celebration to competition.
What makes this fixture particularly intriguing is the opponent. Rivers United F.C. have every reason to view the match as an opportunity for revenge after falling short in the title race. That emotional motivation could make them even more dangerous.
For Rangers, chasing a domestic double would elevate this season from excellent to historic. Cup competitions often require a different mentality from league campaigns, where one mistake can immediately end a trophy pursuit.
If Rangers approach the game with the same discipline and determination that earned them the league title, they will remain favourites. However, if complacency creeps in, Rivers United have enough quality to punish them.
Saturday’s clash may ultimately reveal whether Rangers are merely league championsor a team capable of building a lasting legacy.
