How 'demoralised' Antelopes overcame early setback to claim valuable point

How 'demoralised' Antelopes overcame early setback to claim valuable point

Izuchukwu Akawor 13:52 - 10.04.2023

The Flying Antelopes, Enugu Rangers, have conceded more goals than they have scored and are just two points above relegation in Group of the NPFL but rescued a point on the road at the week.

Coach Abdul Maikaba was glad to see his Antelopes come from behind to take a point away from home at the weekend.

Enugu Rangers were visitors in Akure where they went head-to-head with their hosts Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.

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Rangers had to dig deep to earn a share of the spoils with Chidiebere Nwobodo as the hero of the day for the Enugu side.

Sunshine started on the front foot and took the lead 16 minutes in thanks to Ibrahim Yusuf.

NPFL: Sunshine vs Rangers
Rangers players surround a Sunshine Stars attacker.

But the lead lasted just 12 minutes before the visitors leveled the scores through Nwobodo heading to the break.

The second half

It was a cagey affair for both teams in the second half despite giving their all to take all three points.

Rangers came close several times throughout the game with Godwin Obaje, as did the home side but the goalkeepers were equal to the tasks on the day.

NPFL
Nwobodo celebrates with his Rangers teammates.

Sunshine did put the ball in the back of the net via a corner, but centre referee bizarrely ruled it off for a foul on the Rangers goalkeeper.

However, replays show that the official may have been wrong as the Rangers shot-stopper was impeded by his teammates leading to the goal.

Maikaba reacts to comeback

Following the result in Akure, coach of Rangers, Maikaba reacted after the game and noted that his team was in Akure to win.

According to the former Akwa United boss, while a share of the spoils was a fair result in the end, he believes his team created enough to have taken all three points.

Enugu Rangers boss Abdul Maikaba says his team will keep fighting in the NPFL

“I actually came here to win but the early goal demoralised the boys,” Maikaba said of the game.

“But the determination was there in the boys which gave us the equaliser and (we) had more opportunities to go ahead early in the second half but missed.”

“I think it was a fair result to both sides as we keep working to ensure we end the season well,” he added.

What the result means

The Antelopes have a lot of work to do if they are to avoid the drop this season despite the point in Akure.

They sit eighth on the table in Group B with 14 points after 13 matches, just two points above relegation with five games to go.

Meanwhile, the home side, Sunshine, are fifth with 18 points but has a game in hand.

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