Rangers Hold on to Playoff Dream with Wikki Visit

Kunle Adewale

with 16 points from 15 matches and seven points short of the last Super Six qualification with five matches to go, Enugu Rangers dream of a playoff participation seems to be dwindling but the Flying Antelopes still have a fighting chance as they host Wikki Tourist in one of the MatchDay 16 fixtures.

Coming into this game, Enugu Rangers has picked up four points from the last five games, however Wikki Tourist’s defence will have to be at their best today if they’re to stop Rangers from scoring, as the Coal City side have never been goal shy in front of their home fans, scoring six goals in their recent home games. They have only failed to score in just one home game this season.

Rangers will be looking to keep up the momentum today against Wikki Tourist, having lost just one game in their last five.

There has been little to choose between the two teams. After 15 matches, Enugu Rangers have recorded three wins, seven draws and five losses  to place eighth in the table with 16 scored points.

Wikki Tourists on the other hand are having three wins, three draws and eight defeats, while occupying the 10th line in the table with 12 points to show for their effort.

Meanwhile, Rangers on Thursday, at the FIFA Goal Project Practice Pitch, Package ‘B’ of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, earned a passage to the Round of 32, 2023 NFF-Federation Cup Competition without kicking the ball in the Round of 64 as their opponent, Adamawa United F.C of Yola failed to show up for the fixture.

After waiting for the mandatory time allowed and the Yola-based outfit did not make contact with the host F.A, the match was called off while the ‘Flying Antelopes’ used the period to play a practice match with an Abuja-based National Armature Division 1 side, Capital City F.C.

The encounter ended 1-0 in favor of the Enugu side with Samuel Pam scoring the only goal of the fixture midway into the second stanza.

Coach Abdul Maikaba, speaking later, said, “I think I am very happy with the situation we find ourselves in today. Adamawa United failed to show up for this fixture without any communication. This situation will to a great extent help us in our weekend’s league fixture against Wikki Tourists F.C. which is a must-win for us.”