Fans of Rangers International FC of Enugu have praised the team for their gallant come back from 3-0 down to defeat Kano Pillars 4-2 on penalties in the Aiteo Cup final in Asaba, Delta State on Wednesday.
The supporters, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Enugu, said they were happy that the players fought gallantly to win.
Goals scored by Rabiu Ali, Nyima Nwagua and an own goal from Rangers goalkeeper, Femi Thomas, gifted Kano pillars three goals in the 52nd minute.
But the goal from Kelvin Itoya sparked the flying antelopes back to life and they got two goals more from Chidera Eze and Ajani Ibrahim within the final 10th minutes of the match to make it 3-3.
The match entered straight into penalties and Rangers scored their first four penalties as Kano Pillars missed one and Nana Bonsu saved one to end it 4-2.
The club’s Media Officer, Norbert Okolie, said that the victory was a miracle as they were 3-0 down before the 60th minute.
He said: “We gave it our all in the second half and it paid off within the last 20th minutes of the game.”
He praised the players for their steadfastness in the match even when they were down with three goals.
Similarly, Ebere Amaraizu, the Team Manager of Crime Busters FC of Enugu, hailed Rangers for their determination which was rewarded with Aiteo Cup trophy.
He said the players had been used to not starting matches on a good note but used to come back stronger in the second half.
Amaraizu said: “Coming back from three goals down against a club like Kano Pillars to take the trophy home shows the spirit of never say die of the club has been resurrected.’
Another fan, Chijioke Njoku, expressed happiness with the victory but regretted that Rangers left it late when many supporters had developed high blood pressure.
He, however, advised the club to stop conceding what he regarded as cheap goals in matches, saying that it was always difficult to erase in continental competition.
Njoku said: “My joy is not only that Rangers won the trophy but has picked a ticket to the Confederation of African Football second tier competition Confederation Cup.”
NAN reports that the winner of this year’s AIteo Cup, Rangers, went home with a cheque of N25 million, while the runners up pocketed N10 million.
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