Rangers Attribute Discipline, Determination, Hard Work to NPFL Top Spot

Rangers International F.C’s new kid on the block and defensive midfielder, Ejike Ugochukwu, who has stood out in the team’s smooth run in the 2023/2024 NPFL season is full of praise for the coaches, management, and teammates for the journey thus far and stated that discipline, determination and hard work which currently permeate the team will help them end the season in an appreciable position.

The former F.C One Rocket captain in an exclusive chat stated that the squad was in perfect shape to end the season amongst the top finishers due largely to the motivation that they enjoy from management and the tactical instructions from the coaching crew ably led by Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu.

The midfield maestro who had played for amature side, F.C Betel in Lagos from where he was spotted by NNL side, F.C One-Rocket before transferring his services to the ‘Flying Antelopes’ at the start of the ongoing 2023/2024 NPFL season has shone like a million Stars in the defensive midfield role in all the matches he has featured.

Ugochukwu, who is full of appreciation to his teammates and coaches for the cordial welcome given to him when he joined the club, said, “I thank God for making my coming to Rangers a success and I also thank my teammates for making it possible for me to adapt to the playing philosophy of the club. It has been a success all the way.”

The player who has appeared in all matches played this season by the club, starting and finishing in all 27 matches but three, further said, “Playing top-flight football with a club like Rangers is the best thing to have happened to my career. I owe a lot to the management, coaches, and players I met in the team for allowing me to exhibit my God-given talent even though, it has not been an easy task.”

The Oji-River L.G.A of Enugu State-born talented footballer, when probed on the chances of his team emerging champions of the league this season, said, “I believe that we have all it takes to be crowned champions but we are taking the matches one at a time as there are no two matches that are the same. We respect every team in the premiership but we don’t fear any. I believe that with the discipline, determination, and hard work from everybody in our team, I am very optimistic that we will end the season well.”

He described the encounter against Kwara United in Enugu as one of the hardest he had featured in as he was not at his very best and rues the missed opportunities in that fixture that ended goalless.

Ugochukwu who is full of running and marking abilities to disposess opponents of the ball and initiate attacks for his side picks Super Eagles and Leicester City of England midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi as his role model, described the match schedules in the league as very stressful but the proper arrangement from Rangers management and the technical acumen from the technical crew has helped him and his teammates to overcome what could have been a heavy load on the players in the field of play.

The lanky box-to-box midfielder aspires to play the game to its highest level by representing his country, Nigeria at various levels and exporting his talent to Europe where the game is appreciated more.