Enugu Rangers International Football Club maintained a rising form yesterday, posting an emphatic 3-1 win over Abia Warriors of Umuahia and scampering out of fearful relegation zone.

A relieved Coach Salisu Yusuf congratulated the players, observing that this was the first time that a striker scored, since he joined the club.

The clash on this Matchday 16 of Nigeria Professional Football League had Iyoha Ephraim from Benue State as the center referee.

Rangers Supporters were at the Stadium to cheer their own to victory alongside supporters of Abia Warriors.

Rangers in first six minutes had scored through Ibrahim Olawoyin who dribbled the defence line and flicked to the far right. Goalkeeper Tambe Charles could not stretch far to hold the ball coming from his left.

The visitors scored a controversial goal through Lukman Bello which turned out to be a lone consolation goal.

Although Assistant Referee flagged off side, the center referee overruled him in 12th minute of play.

Later, in 36th minutes of the encounter, Emmanuel Nwokeji’s corner kick located Ifeanyi George’s who nodded the ball inside the net to the admiration of Rangers’ Supporters.

At this point, Abia Warriors players had received about 3 yellow cards following rough plays and bad tackles before first half ended.

On the commencement of second half, Abia Warriors first dominated the match before Rangers took their position.

Rangers missed a major opportunity in 49th minutes but corrected it in 67th minutes when Ifeanyi George scored the third goal that sealed up the victory.

Coach Salisu Yusuf, was asked after the match how he feels and his answer was, “I feel happy now beacause this is the first time a striker scored in the team since I joined them. We need to give them more opportunities to try”.

With this result, Rangers has left relegation zone to 16th position on the log, with 15 points from 12 matches and 4 matches outstanding.

Results in other match centres across Nigeria.

RESULTS OF MD 16 IN THE NPFL

Wikki 2-1 MFM
Promise Damala 18’, Olushola Ajala 45+1’ – Izuchukwu Chimezie 47’

Kwara Utd 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Kano Pillars 2-0 Akwa Utd
Nyima Nwagua 76’, Rabiu Ali 79’

FC Ifeanyiubah 2-0 Enyimba
Uche Sebastine 37’ , Ikenna Cooper 66’

Plateau Utd 5-0 Adamawa Utd
Ibrahim Mustapha 18’, 40’ Oche Ochowechi 25’, Uche Onwuasoanya 65’, Abba Umar 90’

Rangers 3-1 Abia Warriors
Ibrahim Olawoyin 7’, Ifeanyi George 41’, 69’ – Lukman Bello 12’

Heartland 0-0 Katsina Utd

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