Enyimba International Football Club of Aba on Tuesday drew goalless with visiting Rangers International FC in a rescheduled match day 15 fixture in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi was outstanding to ensure the visiting side picked up a point in the match played at the Enyimba Stadium.
A goal scored by the hosts during a goalmouth scramble in the 89th minute was disallowed by the centre referee for a handball infringement.
During a post-match interview, the coach of Enyimba, Membis Vitus, expressed disappointment with the referee disallowing the goal, describing it as unfortunate.
“Whatever that informed the referee’s decision to disallow the goal was best known to him and I hope this league gets better so that teams can see the result of their efforts in matches,” he said.
Rangers’ coach, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, described the result as fantastic for their team coming all the way from Enugu to Aba to pick a point.
He said the game was never an easy one, describing it as a tense and high profile match that lived up to its expectations.
Ekenedilichukwu praised both teams for showing the spirit of sportsmanship in the field of play.
He hailed his team for holding a good team like Enyimba to a draw.
“This is our eighth unbeaten game in the league and we need to do more in our subsequent matches to get nothing less than three points home and away,” Ekenedilichukwu said.
Rangers striker Godwin Obaje, on his part, said the team prepared so well to take home one point, adding that it was vital to their ambition of winning the league title.
Obaje said the club’s target was to retain the trophy won last season or get a slot to play on the continent next season.
He said the team however needed to win their next match against Rivers United.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers remain fourth on the league table with 24 points after 15 matches.
Enyimba on their part moved to the sixth position with 21 points after 13 matches.
