Rangers International FC were humbled 2-0 by Bendel Insurance FC in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Saturday.
The Flying Antelopes, who were pre-match favourites, though playing away, were stunned by the Insurancemen, who took the lead in the first half through Osaghae and doubled their advantage in the second half through Sarki Ismael, Footballrover reports.
Osaghae handed the Benin Gunners the first goal after heading the ball past the confused Rangers defence after Paul Obata’s free-kick cross just 14 minutes into the game.
Before Sarki Ismael managed to put his side ahead in the sixty-third minute by capitalising on a careless mistake made by Rangers custodian Detan Ogundare to slide the ball home with ease.
The defeat handed Ranger their first this new year, and it leaves them in ninth place in the table, nine points behind temporary leaders Doma United and five points behind their host, Insurance.
After the game, Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechuku said that although his team gave it their all, it was not just their day.
Addressing Insurance’s rating with Rangers, Ilechuku stated that any well-prepared squad can win anywhere and that great names and a club’s length of existence are not important in football these days.
The coach went on to vow that his team would surely bounce back from the setback.
“For me, football is football and all fixtures are important. With the kind of football we play these days, team like Doma Utd if underestimated can mess you up,” he said.
He further stressed that;
“The game has come and gone, we will just take some lessons from it and plan on winning our next game.”
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