BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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After going through two-match winless run in the NPFL 2024/2025 fixtures, reigning champions of the NPFL, Rangers International Football Club are in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State capital seeking return to winning ways, Rangers leading scorer, Saviour Isaac has said.
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The Flying Antelopes will engage former champions, Akwa United Football Club in a match day 8 fixture re-arranged for Monday.
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The encounter which will be taken live by the official broadcaster of the NPFL, StarTimes, is expected to kickoff by 5:30 pm and the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side is motivated to work its way to the maximum points at stake.
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Rangers rallied from a 4-0 first half deficit to claw back to a 4-3 home loss to an Ahmed Musa (OON) inspired Kano Pillars, midweek and despite the loss, coach Ilechukwu and his wards are inspired with the breaking of the goals draught that hit the team since the start of the season and will be taking the new goals scoring form into this re-arranged fixture in Uyo.
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Leading goal scorer for the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Saviour Isaac, who got a brace in the home loss to Pillars after being introduced in the second half of the encounter is optimistic of a quick turn-around in the fortunes of the champions of the league with the road fixture to Uyo his home state.
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“No doubt, we have had some difficult results since the start of the season and we are positive of getting a good result against Akwa United in Uyo to keep us within a touching distance with the pace setters in the league. Akwa United is a good team with strong backing from government and supporters but we are approaching the match with strong determination and motivation to ensure we leave Uyo with a great result that will make our supporters proud,” stated the talented midfielder.
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Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, said, ahead of the fixture, “I expect a difficult match but I am optimistic that with the much we have done since our last match, we are poised for a good result from the match against Akwa United. Since we have broken the jinx of single goal in each of our match before the last one, it is a good omen for us going into the fixture in Uyo. We are not by any means underrating our opponent, Akwa United. They are a good side under a quality manager with many quality players but we are determined to get a good result from the encounter.”
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In the twenty-four encounters between both sides over twelve years, Rangers enjoys an edge with eleven wins as against five by the ‘Promise Keepers’, Akwa United with eight matches ending in draws.
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Going into the encounter, the host, under coach Muhammed Babaganaru that boasts of such talented players as Hakeem Otuyiga, Ubong Williams, Endurance Ebedebiri, Chijioke Alaekwe, Reuben Bala, Seyi Oguntayo and many others occupy the the 19th spot on the log with five points from seven matches while the defending champions of the league, Rangers, with the likes of Lucky Abdullahi, Effimi Nsi, Evans Ogbonda, Agu Kenechukwu, Kazeem Ogunleye, Daniel Onyia, Isaac Saviour, Austin Opara and many others, occupy the 10th spot with ten points from seven matches already prosecuted.
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