Exclusive: Rangers’ Chief Coach charges ahead of Sunday rivalry contest 

One of the rivalries that has lingered in the Nigerian football space is between Rangers and Shooting Stars of Ibadan. Actually, both clubs are one of the oldest in the Nigerian top-flight league known as the Premier Football League. 

Enugu Rangers, the pride of football fans in the southeastern part of Nigeria, has managed dominance, especially the record of never being relegated in the league, something similar to Everton in the English Premier League.

Meanwhile, Shooting Stars, on the other hand, is the pride of the southwestern football fans, a club that has shown like a bright star, representing Nigeria outside the shores of West Africa and winning trophies as evidence of their dexterity. 

These two clubs will face off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, known as the Cathedral, on Sunday for a top-table clash. Rangers is in the third position with 28 points, while Shooting Stars is in the fourth position with 27 points. Just one point in between Rangers and Shooting Stars further intensifies the rivalry between both sides ahead of the weekend clash. 

As the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season heats up, Enugu Rangers are on a roll, boasting an impressive unbeaten run that has left fans and pundits alike singing their praises. 

The Flying Antelope have recorded unbeaten streaks in their last 10 games and hope to extend them. Shooting Stars, who recorded their first away win, will also be hoping to extend such a tasty result. 

Preparation is key, says Rangers’ coach 

Speaking ahead of the cracker on Sunday, Enugu Rangers' Chief Coach, Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview about his team’s preparedness against Shooting Stars on Sunday. 

Shooting Stars, known as the Oluyole Warriors, will be parading Rangers’ former coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, who won a Federation Cup for the Flying Antelope. But Ekenedilichukwu buttressed that what could make Rangers shaky is if they have never planned well. 

The Rangers’ chief exudes confidence and optimism as he prepares his team for their upcoming match against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

Coach Ekenedilichukwu revealed to Sportsboom.co.za that his team has been working tirelessly to maintain their unbeaten streak. "By the special grace of God, we are preparing; the boys are getting ready. We just finished our morning session not quite long ago; the boys are getting ready for the weekend match against 3SC."

The Rangers gaffer acknowledged that the unbeaten run has not been easy to achieve but expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for keeping his players fit and injury-free. "The unbeaten run is something good. We did the third on our last game against Katsina, having a goalless draw, and we are here again, hoping to continue the run, though it has not been easy. We just have to keep on going."

Absence of key players for CHAN qualifiers 

Coach Ekenedilichukwu also addressed the potential impact of the absence of key players who have been called up to represent the Super Eagles in the CHAN qualifiers. "There is no club that would say that the absence of their key players won't affect them, but we just have to put the whole body together and work hard. That's football for you."

Despite the challenges ahead, Coach Ekenedilichukwu remains confident that his team will continue their unbeaten run. "We want it to be good, and by the special grace of God, we will get a good result, cause the boys are also ready. Come Sunday, the boys will come out with a win by the special grace of God, as we have done the necessary things we needed to do to prepare the boys. The result will come."

The game is scheduled to be held by 4 pm on Sunday.