By Daily sports on July 29, 2021

Rangers International FC of Enugu on Wednesday defeated visiting Katsina United 1-0 in the Match Day 36 of the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

At the match played inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Elijah Ani scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute of the game.

Inspite the win, Rangers still remain seventh on the log with 59 points.

Speaking after the match, Rangers coach, Salisu Yusuf praised his players for the win.

He said that the victory was worthwhile, as it enhanced their hope of getting something positive in the league.

Yusuf expressed hope on picking good points in the remaining two matches of the league.

He noted that the visiting team was a good side and would have caused his team trouble if not for the tactics he used after the interval.

“We discovered that they refused to allow our players to play their normal game flow.

“With the introduction of some players after the interval, we kept the ball on the ground and seized the ball from them,” he said.

Katsina United coach, Bishi Sadoki said his team came for the three points, but could not hold its own against the host, Rangers FC.

“We came with a plan to win the game but our plan was thwarted in the process as the home team used kicking game against us.

“After the interval, we knew that they were going to come heavily on us and we had to adjust in order to absorb the pressure.

“That was football, we lost today and tomorrow we can smile home and we are going to lift our game for the three points,” Sadoki said.

Elsewhere, Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi on Wednesday thrashed visiting Heartland FC of Owerri 4-2 in another NPFL Match Day 36 fixture.

Following the victory at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Wikki Tourists are now 14th on the league table, with 42 points from 36 matches.

The match was dominated by the home team, while the visitors also gave a good fight.

Eric Dufega of Wikki Tourists scored the first goal two minutes into the match, while team captain Idris got the second goal 20 minutes into the match.

In the 31st minute, Heartland’s Ajoku Chidiebere scored their first goal.

Wikki Tourists got their third goal in the 58th minute through Promise Damala, while Habibu Safiyan scored the fourth goal in the 71st minute.

Heartland got their second goal through Madufor Kingsley in the 82nd minute of the match.

Speaking after the match, Abdallah Bura, Head Coach of Wikki, said it was an impressive outing in spite of the fact that most of his players did not perform well.

“Already, I promised we are not for relegation. I am very impressed, and we will prepare for the next match on Sunday in Kaduna.

“We are meeting Kano Pillars FC in Kaduna, I believe it is going to be a good outing on Sunday in Kaduna as well,” he said.

On his part, Fidelis Ilechukwu, Head Coach of Heartland, expressed his disappointment with the result of the match.

“I have nothing to say, go and write what you saw in the match,” he said.

•Pieced together from NAN reports. PHOTO: NPFL action

Source Daily sports

Posted July 29, 2021

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