By Augustine Kalu on November 1, 2018

Following Enugu Rangers unbelievable comeback in the finals of this year’s Federation Cup otherwise called AITEO Cup final in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Wednesday, excited former captain and coach of the team, Christian Chukwu has summed of the club’s gallant performance as the team living up to its motto of “NEVER SAY DIE”.

According to Chukwu this is the type of gallantry that made Enugu Rangers a household name in the past even as he lauded the team for their determination and zeal to ensure that the 35-year-old lack of the Federation Cup trophy by the team was broken in the most unbelievable fashion.

He explained that all Rangers supporters were down cast as the Kano Pillars run riot of the Flying Antelope inside the recently refurbished Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Asaba from the blast of the whistle earning their first goal within the first five minutes of the game and added another in the 20th minutes.

The former Enyimba and Heartland coach said as if that was not enough insult to the image of the Flying Antelope, the match stretched almost out of the rich Rangers when Pillars added another goal to make it three prompting many Rangers fans to exit the Stadium.

Chukwu explained that Rangers rediscovered themselves when Pillars defender, Anyanwu got injured with 15minutes to go. He said it was like with the injury to Anyanwu, Pillars’ defence caved in and Rangers were able to find a lee way to bring the score line to 3-3 at the regulation time hence the penalty shootout upon which Rangers claimed victory.

The immediate past general manager of the club explained that some people who left the stadium in anger before Rangers began their resurgence could not believe it when they were told that Rangers won the match at the end of the encounter.

“We have not started our celebration. It is going to be cerebration all the way,” Chukwu told The Oracle Today Sports in exclusive telephone interview.

“We are overwhelmed with this victory over Kano Pillars on Wednesday in Asaba. It is a sweat victory because of the way it came.

“We lived up to our motto: “NEVER SAY DIE”. That is our motto. This is why Rangers were a household name in Nigerian Football in the past. And I must tell you that I am happy that we replicated what were are known for.

“It was like the miracle of Daman, when the Flying Eagles also came from the dead having conceded 4-0 to bounce back and defeated Soviet Union (USSR) in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

“The truth of the matter is that Rangers came back from the dead and as far as I am concerned it was a miracle.

“I must confess to you that Pillars’ ran riot of Rangers from the blast of the whistle. The truth is that if they had made use of all their chances in the first half, they would have been up by seven goals. It was terrible for us but thank God that in the second half Rangers players have to realise the need to invoke the motto of the club “Never Say Die”. That was the spirit that propelled us to become a dreaded side in the 70s and early 80s.

“What happened in filled me with nostalgia as I recalled many battles we engaged in the name of Enugu Rangers and Igbo identity,” Chukwu said.

“One thing that was very instrumental to Rangers resurgence is the injury to one of Kano Pillars’ defenders, Anyanwu. That injury to Anyanwu was like the tonic that Rangers were waiting for.

“This is because immediately Anyanwu got injured; it seems that Pillars defence collapsed and what else do Rangers need? Just to cash in and do the needful. As a matter of fact, Anyanwu came to that match with an Igbo spirit not to allow Rangers have their way. He was like rock in Pillars defence I must tell you.

“I give kudos to the players and the technical crew led by Coach Gbenga Ogunbote for being able to win the cup after 35 years. You recalled that the last time Rangers won the Federation Cup was the one I won with them in 1983.

“I believe that this victory has unlocked the door for more trophies for Rangers. I am optimistic that Rangers will not wait for this long to win the trophy again. This victory has launched us back to the continent and I know that Rangers has all it takes to give the country good representation,” Chukwu promised.

•Photo shows Christian Chukwu

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 1, 2018

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