By Daily sports on February 1, 2021

How time flies. Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Nigeria’s foremost colourful club side is 51 today. Greater number of Nigerians can without prejudice tell the story of the most resilient football club in the country.

The story of Rangers International FC is synonymous with Ndigbo after the civil war and such spirit has guided and guarded the Igbo nation even in the face of extreme provocations of marginalization by her so called patriots. You won’t be wrong if you go further to say very jealousy “brothers.”

The story of Rangers International FC remains one for greater celebration and also greater glory. The Flying Antelopes as the team is known typifies the story of Igbo nation and her journey of life in a country called Nigeria that she was in the forefront to unify.

Rangers International FC was a rallying point and source of hope for Ndigbo just then out of the civil war. The rest of Nigeria fought against her because the so called “brothers” are too jealous due to her deep intellectual capacity.

Rangers was the toast of all eyes in and outside Nigeria with very natural talents that took the football centre stage by storm both in Nigeria and the African continent.

The people that administered the team committed to the fullest ensuring that they go the extra mile to make things work in the team that held Ndigbo together. They did this bringing out the ingenuity of the wise men from the East, just smarting from the bitter and most devastating civil war their so called betrayal “brothers” waged against her.      

It remains one football club to play for till day. At 51, Rangers has never gone on relegation or changed her name for any reason and such is no mean achievement, admit it or leave it. The records are there. Rangers did not hesitate to win laurels in the local scene within just a few years of formation and went ahead to win the then Africa Cup Winners Cup against then dreaded IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

One remembers as if it was yesterday, coming all the way from the prestigious, now 92 years old Government College, Umuahia, Anglican Missionary College to watch and cheer the team against Bendel Insurance, IICC, Raccah Rovers of Kano, Mighty Jets of Jos, Standard FC of Jos, archrival Spartans, ACB, Rovers of Calabar, etc.

However, when one looks back, the question that readily comes to mind is where they are now. It was fun then to watch Nigerian League at the amateur level and was very well organised and then beauty to be held. As for Rangers players, I will not border my readers calling their names here that populated the then Green Eagles. Their exploits on the field of play were so dripping.

One will not end this executive summary or abridged write up on this great FC without mentioning the names of two most outstanding chairmen of the great football team east of the Niger where the sun raises in short the home of the wise men, the Israelites in Nigeria.

One must without any iota of time wasting pay glowing tribute to one of the men that gave his all in the service of Rangers International FC as chairman, late Eze BSC Nzenwa. Those that remember would attest that he was one Club chairman that follows his team to every game to lend his support. Eze BSC Nzenwa was so committed to the survival and services of Rangers International FC. He ensured the players lacked nothing that is anything. His priority was to make every player and officials concentrate on the task ahead of them and he never pretended about such.

The tenure of Eze Nzenwa in the services of Rangers as Chairman remained glaring that he told them in clearer terms to go into the field and display what made them thick and leave the rest for him. His exemplary spectacles spurred other club chairmen to attend some matches with their teams to give the boys their physical presence and support.

Late Eze BSC Nzenwa was so innovative and unique in the way and manner he administered or chaired Rangers International FC. This no doubt added colour and spice as one of the greatest strides that added to the resilience the Flying Antelopes’ team is not only known for but identified with till date.  It was one of the periods you would readily and pointedly remember as one of the significant times and greater glory of the team.

Some of the players that witnessed the benevolence of late Eze BSC Nzenwa in the team and are still alive can identify with what is written here, as the bravo team clocks 51 years, which I won’t hesitate to call a landmark period as we continue to count down. Rangers is our symbol and Chairmen way back, like late Eze BSC Nzenwa held such doggedly and sacredly too.

He showcased his selfless service and love for his people and he never dished out less. Rangers were one big family during his fruitful, practical and result oriented tenure as chairman of the revered Rangers International FC which represents Ndigbo intoto till date. He was one of the patriots’ that knew what that team stood for and so did not disappoint doing the needful without asking for any reward. He saw it as a call to duty, to uplift the spirit of his people who was so rudely traumatized by betrayal of the so called “brothers” and he discharged his duties so, like spicing it with love and kindness which was his middle name.

Those that ever came across late Rangers Chairman Eze BSC Nzenwa would agree with the columnist as being objective and straight to the point. One will say that he would be glad as an ardent Rangers International FC supporter that their labours past in the solid nurturing, nursing and building of an enduring FC has not been destroyed rather the flame is thickening each breaking day and he would be happy about this development.

The editorial team of this all-sports digital newspaper prays that perpetual light continues to shine upon him, Amen.

Another Rangers Chairman that made input is Chief Jim Nwobodo, whose workings then in the team that is 51 years is glaring too. His love for the team, if nothing made him popular which enabled him to win election as then first executive Governor of old Anambra State.

We knew the activities of Nwobodo and Rangers so would not border the readers much. He is happy being alive to witness the team he oversaw as once upon a time, the Chairman remain upbeat despite all odds.  He, like late Eze BSC Nzenwa was a reference point in the team and no history of the team would be complete without their names copiously occupying space.

Readers, let’s continue discussion on this wonderful Football Club of our time and share, compare notes. That is the spirit of the game. We are on 247, on our social media handles. Keep shooting hard till next week as the struggle continues!!

Source Daily sports

Posted February 1, 2021

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