Enugu Rangers have gone three points clear at the top of the Nigeria Professional Foootball League (NPFL) standings after they recorded a 3-2 victory over Akwa United in Uyo, yesterday.
Harrison Ibukun’s own goal in the third minute put the Flying Antelopes in front as the defender failed to communicate effectively with goalkeeper, Kayode Olufemi. Akwa United had several chances to get back on level terms in the first half but profligacy and uncompromising goalkeeping by Nana Bonsu kept the Promise Keepers at bay.
The home side had a great chance to get back on level terms in the 26th minute when Fortune Omoniwari fired in a free kick from 25 odd yards.
Rangers goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu parried the effort towards the path of Cyril Olisema who somehow found a way to fire the rebound over the bar from three yards out.
Akwa United eventually got due reward for consistent pressure on the stroke of half time after Fortune Omoniwari’s fearsome header off a Friday Ubong cross left Bonsu with no chance.
Rangers should have taken the lead for the second time in the game on 55 minutes when Tope Olusesi came face to face with Olufemi but the United goalkeeper prooduced a big one-handed save to deny the striker.
The save by Olufemi was a premonition that the home side failed to heed and on 61 minutes, Rangers struck again.
Exceptional work by Ocheme Edoh on the left freed an unmarked Chisom Egbuchulam on the far side.
The attacker’s first touch took out Olufemi and he planted emphatically into an unguarded net to send the Rangers bench into fits of hysteria.
Rangers hammered the final nail into the Akwa United in the 74th minute through Enete Chebem who rifled home a well-controlled finished from the edge of the box.
Omoniwari netted a late consolation but it was too little, too late as Rangers held out for the win. Rangers have now amassed 46 points from 26 matches.
