Enugu Rangers beat
Enyimba 1-0 in the opening
fixture of the new NPFL
season played in a packed
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Both sides started the game on
an attacking note with Rangers
conceding a few corners which
Enyimba failed to capitalize on.
Rangers gradually took control
of the game and deservedly took the lead through young
winger Bitrus Dada. The former Unicem Rovers player
who joined the Flying Antelopes
two seasons ago lobbed the ball
into the net to put Rangers
ahead in the 26th minute after a
goal mouth scramble. Both sides continued to mount
pressure on each other with
Andrew Abalogu and Esieme
combining well on the right for
Enyimba and Josiah Maduabuchi
pulling the strings in the middle of the park only to be thwarted
serially by Rangers defence led
by Senegal-born Pierre Coly. Rangers continued to control the
game with their nicely strung
passes and attacking football
mostly orchestrated by a
combination from Chibuzor
Okonkwo and Dada from the right flank, with Ugonna
Uzochukwu and Chinedu Sunday
dictating the pace of game from
midfield. Substitute and Super Eagles
invitee Emeka Eze later came on
for Sunday Chinedu and brought
his technical ability to bear in
the game as he shuffled
between defence and attack to hold off a rampant Enyimba. The ESUT marketing final year
student created a couple of
chances and also strung several
neat passes to help the hosts
maintain possession and give
them firm control of the game. Dada's goal proved decisive for
Rangers as neither side was able
to score in spite of several near
chances. The young player will be
hoping to follow in the footsteps
of last season's revelation Chikeluba Ofoedu whose goal
gave Rangers victory in the
corresponding fixture last
season.

Enyimba FC isn't unbeatable, but it seems that Enyimba FC is gradually reducing from the force it use to be.