Ogunbote Unsure of Future with Enugu Rangers

Despite winning the 2018 Aiteo Cup trophy for Enugu Rangers, the first in 35 years in a thrilling comeback coach Gbenga Ogunbote is currently unsure if he will continue as the team’s handler next season.

Enugu Rangers in a spirited performance came from three goals down to equal the score at 3 – 3 after regulation time and beat Kano Pillars 4 – 2 on penalties to lift the oldest football tournament in Nigeria which they last won in 1983.

Ogunbote after the match in an interview revealed that his contract as coach of the team expired immediately after the win against Pillars and the future is still very uncertain.

“Talking about Rangers and how soon preparation should start for next season is a difficult one for me to answer because my contract with Rangers expired today.”

Ogunbote has also revealed that it is not yet time to talk about sitting for a new contract as he is going to take time to enjoy the moment. “I can’t say for sure now if I’ll stay at Rangers but let me enjoy the moment. Another issue is that I just won my first major trophy as a coach so I want to celebrate it. But sooner than later we will look into it.”

Meanwhile, Rangers Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu has said he was not under any pressure to deliver when he came on to replace first choice goalkeeper Olufemi Thomas, who had a terrible day at the office conceding three goals.

The Ghanaian shot stopper was Rangers’ first choice goalkeeper under Imama Amakapabo in 2016 and was key to the team winning the Nigerian Professional Football League that season before losing his spot to the veteran safe hands Femi Thomas.

After conceding three goals and Enugu Rangers trailing in a performance he will hope to forget in a hurry, Ogunbote introduced Bonsu who kept Rangers in the match after Kano Pillars danger man Junior Lokosa’s close attempt.

Bonsu reacting to the game said he was not under any pressure to prove his mettle. “I was brought in to do my job and I am happy I did it well. I know the pressure was on me as we had scored two and Pillars wanted to score at least one more goal to make the scoreline safe for them. I thank God for my performance.

“Not playing regularly did not affect my performance because everyone knows what Nana can do. I know I lost my spot because of the injury and from my actions on the pitch you can see that I still have what it takes to be up there.”

Ogunbote, however, said the decision to make the goalkeeping substitution was purely tactical and he was happy it paid off.