Rangers International FC of Enugu on Thursday defeated visiting Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan 2-0 on Match Day 16 of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League.
This was the first inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium since the state government started renovation work on the pitch.
Nweke Kalu scored the first goal for Rangers in the 27th minute to give the supporters a rosy welcome to the renovated stadium after two years.
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Okorie Chiedozie increased the tally in the 88th minute, giving the home team the needed victory.
In his post match interview, Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, said he was happy because the match was their first on their return to the stadium and before their supporters at home.
Ilechukwu said: “It is our first game inside the stadium.
“Winning 2-0 and having a clean sheet is a nice welcome for the team.
“The players are trying to get it right with the new turf in terms of timing of the ball and when we get used to it, I hope this field will turn into a slaughter ground.
“We are happy to play before our fans again and we have a large crowd today like we see at Liverpool and Chelsea matches in England.”
Olugbenga Ogunbote, 3SC’s coach, praised his players for their performance in the match despite losing.
Ogunbote said: “My players did not play too badly, except that we conceded two goals, and nobody will say we were humiliated.
“Sometimes, goals do not actually determine the strength of a team.
“Be it as it may, we take the positive from it.
“We are not comfortable with our position in the league and we are going to work on the lapses to bring the needed change in the team.”
NAN reports that the win took Rangers FC to the ninth position on the log with 22 points after 15 matches, while 3SC remain 13th with 19 points after the same number of matches.