How Enugu rangers made triumphant return to ‘cathedral’

Enugu Rangers

Enugu Rangers on Thursday evening returned to the renovated Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch with an emphatic 2-0 victory over visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.

Rangers had played their homes matches at Awka, Anambra State, in the last two seasons following the renovation work at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch by the state government.

But returning on Thursday to a cheering home crowd that besieged the stadium to watch them, the club made good use of the matchday 16 of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to improve their rating on the league table.

Utility star, Nweke Kalu, scored the first goal for Rangers in the 27th minute to give the supporters a rosy welcome to the renovated stadium after two years.

Okorie Chiedozie increased the tally in the 88th minute, giving the home team the needed victory. It was a goal that literally shook the foundation of the stadium, christened ‘Cathedral,’ as fans roared in ecstacy to welcome it.

In his post match interview, Rangers Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, said he was happy because the match was their first on their return to the stadium and before their supporters at home.

“It is our first game inside the stadium; winning 2-0 and having a clean sheet is a nice welcome for the team. “The players are trying to get it right with the new turf in terms of timing of the ball and when we get used to it, I hope this field will turn to a slaughter ground.

“We are happy to play before our fans again and we have a large crowed today like we see at Liverpool and Chelsea matches in England,” Ilechukwu said.

In his reaction to the game, 3SC Coach, Olugbenga Ogunbote, praised his players for their performance despite losing the game.

“My players did not play too