Sports
Obaje’s Brace Sees Rangers Triumph Over Nasarawa Utd
Two second half goals in a-five-minute-period by former NPFL top-scorer, Godwin Obaje, ensured that reigning champions of the league, Rangers International bounced back to winning ways, beating Nasarawa United FC 2-0 in a match day 10, at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Smarting from a heartwarming 1-1 draw in Ilorin and 0-0 draw in Uyo in the last two match days, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu made three changes to the last match day starting squad, handing starts to goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi and Godwin Obaje while captain of the side, Chinemerem Ugwueze also started in the very entertaining encounter watched by an appreciable number of fans.
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Opting for a 4-4-2 formation which was aimed at pushing the visitors back so as to contain the exploits of leading goal scorer, Anas Yusuf, with Frank Uwumiro and Godwin Obaje leading the attack with the quartet of Isaac Saviour, Kazeem Ogunleye, Chinemerem Ugwueze and Ejike Ugochukwu anchoring the middle of the pack while the back-four of Effimi Nsi, Evans Ogbonda, Austine Opara, and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi providing cover for the man between the sticks, Kingdom Osayi.
The first period witnessed a lot of missed opportunities on both ends but with more missed chances coming the way of the home side as Effimi Nsi failed to connect when set up by Isaac Saviour on 14 minutes which was followed by Frank Uwumiro’s stinging shot that was pushed out by goalkeeper, Galadima Mohammed on 16 minutes just as Godwin Obaje could not fathom how his efforts on 22 and 40 minutes failed to rest inside the net and Ejike Ugochukwu, Isaac Saviour’ efforts were bravely stopped by Galadima on 36 and 45 minutes.
When both sides returned for the second period, the home side continued to push and probing for openings which came on 55 minutes when Obaje met an Uwumiro cut-back with precision to open his goals account for the season and on 60 minutes, he grabbed his brace in the match as he expertly tucked in the spot kick awarded his side after he was wrestled down inside the box by Victor Collins as the fans yelled for more goals in celebrations.
Obaje would have made it a hat trick of goals on 67 minutes after being fed by Evans Ogbonda but his effort missed target by inches just few minutes after substitute, Silas Nenrot’s stinging shot was pushed out by an alert Galadima on 65 minutes while Nenrot’s effort that found the back of the net was ruled out for offside on 70 minutes. Opportunities also came the way of Kazeem Ogunleye and Godwin Obaje in the 71 and 73 minutes but there were no further goals to show for all the dominance.
As the game neared it closing period, coach Ilechukwu handed game time to two of his young stars, Daniel Onyia and Kelechi Edeh and they did not disappoint.
In the post-match chat, chief-coach of the Enugu side, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, said, “This was a great game with a good result against a quality side. They proved difficult in the first half but after some talks at the break, we got our acts together and converted two of the numerous chances that we created. We are happy with the result and would work harder to convert our chances in subsequent matches.”
Two-goals hero, Godwin Obaje, while reacting to the media after the encounter, said, “We are happy we got the win and I am really glad to have scored in my first start for the season. It goes a long way to show that we are gradually getting into the needed shape to challenge for a good season. Nasarawa United gave us a good fight but we showed more resolve to win.”
With the win, Rangers now occupy the 5th spot on the 20 team log with fifteen points from ten matches and would next play against Plateau United in a match day 11 fixture at the New Jos Stadium, Jos in the coming weekend.
Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.
The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.
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Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.
Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.
The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.
Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
No timeline has been given for further proceedings.
Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C., will be flying into Maiduguri, Borno State, for their crucial Matchday 21 clash against the President Federation Cup holders, El-Kanemi Warriors F.C.
Biztellers reports that the Flying Antelopes would be flown by Max Air.
Inside sources at the Enugu Rangers have it that following a disappointing home loss in their previous match, the “Flying Antelopes” are determined to regain their winning form.
It was gathered that a 27-man delegation will depart Abuja on Monday morning for the short flight to Maiduguri, with the match scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th, 2025.
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The team aims to swiftly move past their recent setback against Niger Tornadoes and climb back up the league table.
“We are heading to Maiduguri with the sole objective of securing a positive result and keeping pace with the front-runners,” declared team captain, Ugwueze Chinemerem. “We have analyzed our previous match and are fully focused on regaining the lost ground.”
It’s worth noting that in the reverse fixture earlier this season on August 31st, 2024, Rangers and El-Kanemi played to a goalless draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will learn their group-stage opponents today as the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes center stage in Morocco.
The tournament, hosted by the North African nation for the second time since 1988, is set to be one of the most spectacular editions in AFCON history.
In 1988, the competition featured just eight teams, but this year, 24 nations will compete for Africa’s biggest football prize.
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Nigeria, placed in Pot 1, will avoid fellow top-seeded teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage.
However, they could face challenging sides from Pot 2, including Cameroon, Mali, and Tunisia.
This year’s AFCON promises to be grander than ever before, featuring more teams than the 1988 edition, and a thrilling opening ceremony.
The ceremony will showcase some of the biggest names in African football history, with legends such as Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi, and Ivory Coast’s Gervinho set to grace the event.
Adding to the excitement, a musical extravaganza will take place, with performances from Morocco’s Hatim Ammor, Congolese sensation Maître Gims, and renowned Moroccan music producer RedOne.
Recall that on Saturday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official logo for AFCON 2025.
The design reflects Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, featuring the AFCON trophy adorned with zellige, the traditional Moroccan mosaic art, symbolizing the country’s unique blend of tradition and modernity.
The 24 qualified nations have been divided into four pots based on their FIFA rankings:
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
The draw will place these teams into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage, promising thrilling action throughout the tournament.
Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, will aim to extend its dominance.
Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, have lifted the trophy three times, while Cameroon boasts five titles. Nigeria, with three championships, and Algeria, with two, are also strong contenders.
Morocco, the hosts, will look to replicate their 1976 triumph, their only AFCON victory.
Back then, the tournament followed a unique format, with the top four teams from the group stage playing in a final round-robin.
Morocco emerged victorious in Ethiopia, but this time, they will aim to claim the title on home soil in front of their passionate fans.
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