RANGERS FC WALLOP WARRI WOLVES IN ENUGU.

Rangers International delivered an impressive attacking performance to defeat Warri Wolves 4–2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, in an entertaining Nigeria Premier Football League encounter.

Rangers International delivered an impressive attacking performance to defeat Warri Wolves 4–2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, in an entertaining Nigeria Premier Football League encounter. FIRST HALF: RANGERS DOMINATE The Flying Antelopes got off to a perfect start, opening the scoring just 58 seconds after kick-off. Wisdom Ebirim’s long throw unsettled the Warri Wolves defence, and GOdwin Obaje rose unchallenged to head past Joke Efevwera for his seventh league goal of the season. Rangers dominated the early exchanges and continued to stretch the visitors. Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo was at the heart of most of the attacking moves and, inside five minutes, skipped past defenders before setting up Anthony Chinemerem, who was making his second straight start, but the winger’s curling effort narrowly missed the target. Ebirim remained influential down the flank and later picked out Ikechukwu Mgbemena, whose long-range strike forced Efevwera into a fine save. The resulting corner paid off in the 11th minute as Obaje once again outjumped his markers to head home his second goal of the afternoon, taking his tally to eight and moving him clear as the league’s leading scorer. Warri Wolves began to settle and created chances of their own. Oriji Chisom tested Abine George with a curling effort after good work from Justus Ohanu, while Ohanu’s corner in the 28th minute was met by Ademola Adebambo, whose header flew wide. Rangers continued to look dangerous going forward. Nwobodo weaved into the box but fired wide with his weaker foot, while at the other end George reacted sharply in the 35th minute to deny Ohanu from close range after a brief defensive lapse. Obaje came close to completing a first-half hat-trick when Nwobodo beat Bassey Bassey and Okie Mute Akporiaye down the right and delivered a low cross, but the striker failed to convert from point-blank range. Centre-back Chidozie Iwundu later drove forward and won a free-kick at the edge of the area, though his effort cleared the crossbar. SECOND HALF: GOALS AND DRAMA Warri Wolves started the second half on the front foot and tested Rangers early. Shemayi Amatisiro forced George into action following a mix-up in defence, while sustained pressure saw Ohanu’s cross spilled by the goalkeeper before Kenneth Igboke cleared the danger. The visitors were rewarded in the 56th minute when half-time substitute Israel Oladeji struck a superb effort from outside the box to pull one back. Oladeji nearly added another eight minutes later, but George produced an excellent save to keep Rangers ahead. Rangers regained control and restored their two-goal lead in the 71st minute. Igboke broke forward from the left and delivered a cross that Chinedu Onah controlled before the ball fell to substitute Igwilo Chimobi, who curled his effort beyond the goalkeeper. Six minutes later, Rangers put the game beyond reach with a swift counter-attack. Mgbemena carried the ball forward and squared for Igwilo, who showed composure to finish his second goal of the game and make it 4–1. Warri Wolves were handed a late consolation when they were awarded a penalty in the closing stages. Substitute Seth Mayi stepped up and converted to reduce the scoreline to 4–2, though it had little effect on the final outcome. AS IT STANDS The win moves Rangers International into fourth place on the NPFL table with 36 points, while Warri Wolves drop to 10th with 30 points. UP NEXT Rangers will now turn their attention to an away trip to Jos to face Plateau United, while Warri Wolves return to Ozoro to host Remo Stars.