Debutant in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Remo Stars Football Club of Sagamu, Ogun State on Wednesday added more woes to struggling reigning Champions of Nigeria elite league, Rangers International FC of Enugu after playing 1-1 draw stalemate at the Cathedral Stadium. The Sky Blue Stars who controlled the entire duration of the high tensed encounter, missed many chances created by the striking duo of David Mboama and Awazie Ekene. In the 11th minute, Walbe David was forced to make a brilliant save from Rangers’ Aguda Godwin. Daniel Etor got the first goal for the flying antelopes after Walbe David could not hold a ball that went underneath him.
Just few minutes after the goal, Ocheme Edoh had a chance that went inches wide and immediately Walbe David located Oche Sales through a long throwing, but his outside shot went wide. Just minutes before half time, Remo Stars’ Oche Salefu flips a ball that could have been an equaliser for the Sky Blue Stars but goalkeeper Nana Bonsu was alert to deny him. Immediately the second half started, Remo Stars handled the ball beautifully, Ewelike Edozie sighted an opportunity but he shots wide. Enugu Rangers had a double chance to extend their lead after Odah Onoriode and Chiamaka Madu could not capitalise on Remo Stars defence who all rushed out in search for an equaliser but Walbe David confidently saves.
However, Ekene Awazie’s individual brilliance 50th minutes equalizer gave the visitors the much needed point to remain aloaf of the relegation zone of the table in the Match Day 16 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The game ended with both sides pressing hard to get the winning goal but the defenders were solid enough to deny all efforts. Speaking after the match, the Technical Adviser of Remo Stars FC, Fatai Osho says he is happy with the 1-1 draw, stressing that, a maximum three points would have salvaged the day against the flying antelopes. According to Osho, “We came with the mindset to win because we want to win every match but we are still very happy we got a draw against the defending champions. “Rangers International is not new to me as a Coach, I played them in the federation cup and it helped me to some extent because I have clear knowledge of how they go about their business. “Unfortunately, Rangers are going through a lot of technical problem, they couldn’t play their usual game and we capitalised on that.” Osho added.
By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, Abeokuta