Rangers International FC head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has urged fans to be patient as the team continues its rebuilding phase ahead of the 2024-25 season.
In their second match of the 2024 Coal City International Cup pre-season tournament at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday, the reigning Nigeria League champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Sierra Leone’s FC Kallon.
Garando Tekena put the Flying Antelopes ahead with a powerful left-footed shot from about twenty-five meters in the 10th minute. This goal came after FC Kallon’s goalkeeper, Isaac Caulker, had bravely denied Tekena’s initial free-kick attempt.
Momoh Dumbuya got the leveller for his side in a swift counter-attack that saw Fofanah slide the ball past a hesitant backline of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ for Dumbuya to slide past on rushing, Lucky Abdullahi, who stood between the sticks for Rangers on 50 minutes.
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Ilechukwu in his post-match presser insisted that Rangers would get it right and that he is using the preseason games to test the new players and also to perfect strategies ahead of their campaign in the CAF Champions League and other competitions.
“It was not a bad game for both sides. F.C. Kallon was a very physical side but we showed good character, especially in the second half, and having so many new players in my team as well as the understanding of the team is what matters to me,” Ilechukwu said.
“Our fans should not panic about the result because it is a preseason game. If we don’t use the preseason game to assess the team’s cohesion, technical, and tactical abilities, it may not be possible during the season proper. I assure our fans that we shall achieve all we want in the season because we have what it takes to do so.”