Maikaba blames team for result against Lobi Stars

 

By Taofeek Babalola

Rangers International Technical Adviser Abdul Maikaba has blamed his boys missed chances for their 1-1 draw against Lobi Stars in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 12 Group B fixture in Awka, Sunday, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

Speaking after the game, Maikaba the team will continue to push for good result in the next matches to improve their position on the log.

Maikaba said: “We have to blame ourselves for this result. A game we created over ten goal-scoring opportunities and scored only one while the opponent created one and scored from it. It is our problem but we are working seriously to see that we rectify all these issues.

We can continue to fight from this result and continue to improve in coming games to ensure that we move up on the log.”

Maikaba handed first-time starting places to the troika of Osayande Austin, Esor Achibong, and Kingsley Maduforo as he kept faith with eight that started in Umuahia, midweek. It was not a disappointing start as it was total dominance for the Enugu side in the first quarter-hour of the encounter but there was no goal for their efforts.

The catalog of missed opportunities started counting as early as the second minute of play when goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel made himself big to deny Chinecherem Ugwueze from close range with further saves on 9, 15, 18, 24, 30, 38, and 41 minutes to deny Chidiebere Nwobodo, Esor Achibong, and Kingsley Maduforo while the visitors had one glorious attempt on 35 minutes but Emeka Nwabulu well saved Umar Abba’s shot.

When the second half resumed, the visitors introduced the duo of former Rangers players, Orji Kalu and Elijah Ani which to a large extent stabilized their team in one moment of brilliance, Elijah was allowed much space by the host’s backline to plant a connecting header for the opening goal of the fixture at the hour mark off an inch-perfect cross from Washima Pine.

Rangers’ technical bench brought in the duo of Ejike Uzoenyi and Reuben Bala few minutes later to push the visitors back into their defensive shell and on 72 minutes, Godwin Obaje restored parity as he stabbed home a Chinemerem Ugwueze’s flick-on off a Chidera Ezeh’s corner kick.

Efforts to find the winning goal failed to materialize as the visitors retreated and defended in droves to take home a share of the spoils.