Enugu Rangers give up on NPFL Super 6 after over N1m motivation

Former NPFL champions Enugu Rangers have given up on making it to the lucrative Super after a pre-match cash reward from the State government.

A reward of N100,000 per player from Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Enugu, Manfred Nzekwe, inspired Abdul Maikaba’s Flying Antelopes to an emphatic 3-0 win over Wikki Tourist in Awka City on Sunday.

Chidiebere Nwobodo was the star and hero for the 2016 NPFL champions as they ended a run of four matches without a win with their biggest win of the 2023 abridged season.

Nwobodo netted a brace while Pam Samuel added a late third to give the Flying Antelopes a comprehensive win at home.

The victory which ended a draw of four consecutive draws in the NPFL was the biggest of the season for the Antelopes.

Having spent most of the season hoving around the danger zone all season have now given themselves breathing space from the relegation fears.

However, despite the big win over Tourist, coach Maikaba has given up on taking Rangers to the Super Six.

According to the gaffer, the win over Wikki will motivate the Antelopes to go all the way in the Federation Cup.

“It was a good game and result that we worked for even as we can’t take away the effect of the promise of cash reward by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports on the players,” he said.

“Our opponents showed resistance but we wanted the result more and pushed for it and got. I am happy even when the result will not help us challenge for the top three positions.”

“The win will give us the boost to go very far in the Federation Cup,” the former Akwa United boss added.