NWOBODO'S LATE STRIKE STUN BARAU FC AS RANGERS SNATCH A DRAW

Rangers International FC captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser to earn the Flying Antelopes a dramatic 2–2 draw against Barau FC in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday.

Rangers International FC captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser to earn the Flying Antelopes a dramatic 2–2 draw against Barau FC in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 8 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on Sunday. With Rangers trailing after two second-half penalties, Nwobodo produced a moment of brilliance, curling an exquisite effort from outside the penalty area into the net to rescue a point for the reigning champions and extend their never-say-die tradition. The late strike stunned the home crowd, with some supporters already heading for the exits when the Rangers skipper found the equaliser. Barau threatened early, with Atule failing to capitalise on a defensive lapse inside the opening eight minutes as goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh denied him in a one-on-one situation. The hosts continued to probe, with Atule setting up a teammate for an effort that Jimoh saved before producing another fine stop at close range. The forward later raced onto a long ball during a counterattack but sent his effort over the crossbar. Rangers gradually settled into the contest, seeking to control possession and dictate the tempo. Their first meaningful opportunity came through an Oputa free-kick, which the Barau goalkeeper pushed behind for a corner. The resulting delivery fell back to Oputa, whose follow-up effort was deflected. After the water break, Chinemerem Anthony drove into the penalty area but failed to get his shot away before goalkeeper Chiom Chia gathered the ball. The visitors eventually broke the deadlock through an excellent passage of combination play involving Chinemerem and Abolade Akorode. The ball fell to Okechukwu Ifeanyi, who finished clinically to give Rangers the lead. Ifeanyi threatened again after controlling a long ball from Chidozie Iwundu. He dribbled past Nura Ibrahim and Orji Kalu before being brought down by Bura inside the penalty area. However, the referee waved away Rangers’ appeals for a spot-kick. Barau pushed for an equaliser before the interval. In the 44th minute, Sunday Anthony unleashed a curling effort that Jimoh tipped behind for a corner. Suur Kumaga’s free-kick in the 45+2 minute went straight into Jimoh’s hands, before the Rangers goalkeeper produced another impressive save in a frantic end to the first half, denying Barau after Stanley Oganbor flicked a corner towards goal. Barau resumed the second half with renewed intensity, as Atule tested Jimoh from inside the box. The Rangers goalkeeper was well positioned to make the save. Sugau Aliyu then sent a dangerous cross across the face of goal without a teammate arriving to finish, while Ahmadu Liman volleyed wide as the hosts continued to search for a way back into the contest. Rangers nearly doubled their advantage when Akorode worked his way into the penalty area, but Chia produced an excellent save. The rebound offered the visitors another opportunity, although no Rangers player was available to convert. The match took a controversial turn when referee Bashiru awarded Barau a penalty following a collision between their forward and Jimoh during a one-on-one situation. Atule stepped up and converted to bring the hosts level. The controversy deepened when the referee awarded Barau a second penalty for handball. Sugau Aliyu made no mistake from the spot, putting the hosts 2–1 ahead and leaving Rangers with a difficult task in the closing stages. Despite the setback, the Flying Antelopes refused to surrender. Substitute Igwe Pius tried his luck with a powerful long-range effort but sent it over the crossbar. Precious Agu then missed a golden opportunity to restore parity after Philip Clement’s cross was left uncleared inside the penalty area, blazing his effort over. Just when Barau appeared poised to claim all three points, Nwobodo stepped up with a decisive moment of individual brilliance. The Rangers captain unleashed a superb curling effort from outside the box in stoppage time, sending the ball into the net to secure a dramatic 2–2 draw. It was a fitting conclusion to a fiercely contested encounter, as Rangers demonstrated their resilience and determination to fight until the final whistle, leaving Kano with a valuable point from their Matchday 8 fixture.