Rangers: scored late, conceded late

Fans of Rangers International Football Club on Sunday showed their anger with the team by shouting abusive words and other expletives at the players after their home draw.

The league leaders drew 1-1 with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

The match was a week 15 game in the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The furious Rangers’ fans crowded round the players as they were coming out of their dressing room on their way to their bus, saying the players gave them a disappointing evening.

It took the intervention of the stadium security personnel to contain the angry fans.

The tension-filled match was goalless until after 85 minutes of play when the centre referee, Thomas Tivkor, awarded a penalty kick to Rangers due to an infringement.

The penalty kick was scored by Rangers’ striker Chisom Egbuchulum.

However, during the added four minutes, a Rangers defender stopped the ball with his hands in the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a penalty kick.

Striker Ajani Ibrahim scored the kick for the visiting team to equalise.

Rangers’ coach Imama Amapakabo said his players underrated the 3SC side by not putting all they have into the game in the first half.

Amapakabo said his side then faced a more difficult second half since they lost chances that should have given them an early and comfortable lead.

“This game is an eye-opener to everybody in the Rangers team not to toy with any team in the NPFL,’’ he said.

Reacting, 3SC’s Assistant Coach, Lateef Yussuf, said the game was a highly technical match.

“However, my boys played to the rule and we are happy to hold Rangers to a 1 – 1 draw in their own home.

“This victory will spur us to more victories as the league progresses, and we are assuring our teeming fans of better days ahead,’’ Yussuf, who led the Oluyole Warriors to Enugu, said.