Rangers International’s captain, Chinemerem Ugwueze, has assured fans that the team will rediscover their scoring form following a goalless draw in their 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) opener against El-Kanemi Warriors.

The Flying Antelopes were unable to find the back of the net in the season’s opening fixture, much to the disappointment of their supporters. Despite the result, Ugwueze remains confident that the team will bounce back and return to winning ways soon.

“It was a bad day in the office for us. The result was not what we were expecting. I believe we are better than this. It’s just that our plans did not go as expected,” Ugwueze said in a post-match interview. “Sure, we are concerned with the lack of goals patch that we are experiencing because without goals you can’t win matches, but I believe that we shall soon find our scoring form and make our fans proud again.”

The match, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, drew notable figures, including NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, NPFL COO Prince Davidson Owumi, and Enugu F.A Chairman Barrister Tony Ugwu. They witnessed several innovations introduced by Rangers, including the cresting of the matchday jersey, a practice inspired by other top footballing nations.

Rangers will next turn their attention to continental duties as they prepare to host Angola’s league runners-up, Sagrada Esperança, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The match is scheduled to take place between 13-15 September 2024 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Rangers International FC, Nigeria’s reigning champions, are set to fine-tune their game plan with a friendly match against Blessed Stars Academy of Uyo. This friendly comes as the team gears up for their CAF Champions League second-leg clash against US Zillimadjou.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 7 am at the Uyo Township Stadium. Rangers, under Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, coming off with a tight 1-0 win in the first leg and are looking to carry that momentum into the return leg, set for Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Blessed Stars Academy, known for developing top young talents like Peter Ita and Victor Benjamin, Emmanuel Nwoke, and Aniefiok Joseph is expected to offer a competitive challenge. This will provide Rangers with a perfect opportunity to sharpen their tactics and make any final adjustments before their high-stakes CAF Champions League fixture.

In a significant move for both player and club, former Flying Eagles star, previously on Loan to FC ONE ROCKET from Blessed Stars, has officially joined Akwa United on a two-year contract. We reliably obtained the information from the media officer of Blessed Stars who was at Akwa United office during the contract signing.

The central defender is a versatile player that plays mostly defense played two seasons for FC ONE ROCKET. While with FC ONE ROCKET he played Central defense, right back, defensive midfield and even left back in special cases.

The player, known for his impressive skills and contributions to the Flying Eagles, is expected to bolster Akwa United’s performance as they aim for success in the league. His experience and talent are anticipated to make a substantial impact on the team’s dynamics.

Akwa United fans are eager to see how the new signing will integrate into the squad and contribute to the club’s ambitions. The club’s management expressed confidence in the player’s abilities, highlighting his potential to be a game-changer on the field.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Akwa United and their new recruit, hoping for a fruitful partnership that will lead to triumphs in the league.