Sunshine Stars 1-1 Rangers: It was a fair result to both sides, Says Maikaba

 

By Taofeek Babalola

Rangers International Head Coach Abdul Maikaba has claimed that a draw was a fair result in his side’s 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

It was a determined display from Flying Antelopes and their hosts, Owena whales as both sides shared the spoils after the tough encounter.

Maikaba said his team’s target was to pick maximum points in the game but he admitted that both sides merited to obtain an important result in the game.

In a post match reaction, Maikaba said the team will keep working to ensure they end the season well.

“I actually came here to win but the early goal conceded demoralized the boys but, the determination was there in the boys which gave us the equalizer and had more opportunity to go ahead early in the second half but were missed. I think it was a fair result to both sides as we keep working to ensure we end the season well,” Maikaba said.

Maikaba kept faith with the majority of the starting squad against Lobi Stars as the trio of David Chimezie, Naziru Auwalu, and Reuben Bala were the new additions as the midfield combination of Esor, Naziru, and Ugwueze were a delight to watch.

Despite dictating the pace of the match in the early part, the Enugu-based side was pegged back at 13 minutes when an Olawale Doyeni kick was intercepted midway by Lucky Gyang who released Yusuf Ibrahim with an inch-perfect pass that was slotted past a diving Emeka Nwabulu for the opening goal of the encounter.

Rangers, though stunned by the early setback did not seat back to be roasted but took the fight to the half of the opponent with the trio of Godwin Obaje, Reuben Bala, and Chidiebere Nwobodo leading the search for the equalizer which came on 28 minutes off the boot of Nwobodo who drilled home from a very tight angle after been set up by Naziru.

Both sides created more scoring opportunities but a combination of quality goalkeeping and solid defending ensured that no more goal was recorded even as Obaje missed at 48 minutes, Nwabulu stood like a big rock to stop three glorious chances for the home side.

Rangers remain in the 7th spot on the Group B log with 14 points from 13 matches and will next play Niger Tornadoes in a match day 14 fixture at the Awka City Stadium in the weekend of April 15/16, 2023.