Aiteo Cup: Rangers exhibited true Igbo spirit in victory over Pillars

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Aiteo Cup: Rangers exhibited true Igbo spirit in victory over Pillars — Oduah

By Augustine Kalu on November 2, 2018

Reactions are still trailing the victory of Enugu Rangers over Kano Pillars in this year’s Federation Cup or Aiteo Cup which was played at the recently completed Stephen Okechukwu Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

The latest reaction on the Rangers unprecedented comeback victory over Pillars is coming from no other person than former member of Anambra State Sports Council, Prince Isidoreh Oduah.

Oduah, a renowned football administrator who once served a member of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and the only none indigene to have served in the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) told The Oracle Today Sports in a telephone interview moments after the final whistle on Wednesday that Rangers comeback victory in the Federation Cup final was nothing but true Igbo spirit at display.

He explained that Enugu Rangers being a club modeled after the philosophy of Ndi Igbo of never see any obstacle as insurmountable was the reason for the Coal City club to rise from the ashes to win the 2018 AITEO Cup to the disbelieve of Pillars and their supporters who had thought it was all over for Enugu Rangers when they were leading by 3-0.

“I want to tell you what happened on Wednesday in the Federation Cup final between Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars was unbelievable,” Oduah began.

“Where I was watching the match, I could not talk because of the way Pillars made Rangers to look ordinary as they ran riot over the Flying Antelopes from the blast of the whistle.

“I went to watch the match with very high hope but after Pillars scored the first two goals without any response, my confidence started to fade I must tell. It is true that as someone who has been in football all my life, anything is possible.

“When they made it 3-0 I say to myself it was all over and I was sad. This is because as far as club football is concerned, Rangers are one club that is my life. This I can tell you because I must said that I am privileged to have been one of those who have been with the club from inception.

“I have been a part and parcel of Enugu Rangers management. I served in many Rangers management team including under the chairmanship of Chief Jim Nwobodo, the late Eze BCN Nzenwa amongst others.

“What surprised me was when Rangers turned around their misfortune to emerged champions of this year’s Federation Cup. From 3-0 down to 3-1, from 3-1 to 3-2 and from 3-2 to 3-3, it was unbelievable. It was like a film but it was a reality.

“What Rangers did in Asaba is nothing but the Igbo philosophy of ‘never see any obstacle’ as insurmountable on display. There is no other way to explain it.

“That was the spirit that Rangers of Christian Chukwu era banked on to do many exploits for Ndi Igbo immediately after the Civil War.

“What Rangers did in Asaba will go into history as one of the greatest comebacks of Nigerian Football; we are talking of the final of the Federation Cup and not just any other match for that matter. It was wonderful and I will cherish this for a very long time to come,” Oduah said.

Continuing he said: “Of course, Pillars and their supported thought they were home and dry as Rangers did not score until deep into the second half, I thing less than 20 minutes to the end of the game but Rangers goals started coming.

“When the first goal came for Rangers, it was like at least let it not be that the former champions were humiliated 3-0. When the second came I said to myself at least it is a respectable score-line. I never knew that the equalizer was on the way and when it came, I couldn’t talk because I was overwhelmed with joy.

“Rangers I must tell you made my day and that is how millions of Igbos across the globe are feeling too. To rise from the dead is down to the love God Almighty has for Ndi Igbo and I am happy that Rangers have been able to win another Federations Cup after many years,” Oduah said.

•Photo shows Prince Isidore Oduah

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 2, 2018