Enugu Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu had a reason to believe his side can clinch the Nigeria Premier Football League title after taking all three points from Remo Stars.
Agu Kenechukwu came from the bench to settle the scores in the 56th minute at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu with a sublime free kick from about 25, it left Remo Stars keeper Bankole Kayode stranded. It was a goal the coach Dan Ogunmodede failed to recover from.
Rangers with 37 points have now moved to the third spot ahead of Enyimba who will play against Gombe United on Thursday and a win will push Rangers back to fourth. Lobi top the log with 39 points, while Plateau United after their 5-1 drubbing of Heartland in Owerri are second spot with 38 points.
“It was a great match and deservedly, we emerged the winner against a quality side like Remo Stars,” said Ilechukwu.
“They gave us a good fight but we knew what we wanted and went for it even when our first team left much to be desired
“Our substitutions did the magic for us just as the entire team fought a good fight for the maximum points.
“We will keep working on our remaining matches with high optimism that we shall be rewarded at the end of the season.”
Ilechukwu fielded the starting squad that defeated Doma United in Gombe over the weekend but a well-knit defense line deployed by Ogunmodede ensured that the game failed to record a goal in the first stanza.
Chances came and went for the Rangers trio of Kazeem Ogunleye, Godwin Obaje, and Chidiebere Nwobodo but the backline of the visitors led by Junior Nduka and Fabian Nworie gave a good cover to their goalkeeper and when it was spurned, Kayode Bankole was always alert to produce the needed save.
Two early substitutions in the second stanza saw Kenechukwu and Odoh Joel take the places of Zulkifilu Rabiu and Ugwueze Chinemerem and the visitors were pushed back into their defensive shells as the home side pushed for the all important opening goal.
