Norbert Okolie, Media Officer, Rangers International FC of Enugu, has boasted that the club was ready to pick three points from Abia Warriors in their upcoming showdown in Umuahia.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Match Day 7 encounter billed for February 4 will be the second South-East derby that Rangers will be playing this season.
It will be recalled that the club’s first away derby match against local rival Heartland FC of Owerri ended 1-0 in favour of the “Flying Antelopes in Owerri.
Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu on Friday, Norbert said that Rangers would be going to Umuahia for the three points at stake.
He expressed joy at the club’s 1-0 victory over Rivers United FC, saying that the victory raised the players’ morale towards their upcoming local derby.
He said: “Although, we are not yet there as we are growing from strength to strength after each match, and in getting match fitness but we will not leave anything behind in Umuahia.
“It is unfortunate that we are going to play on a different field from the turf we are used to, which will make our target much more difficult, but our target of getting the three points is still intact.’’
He said that Abia Warriors picked three points from the Flying Antelopes in Enugu on the opening day of 2016/2017 season.
Okolie said: “Abia Warriors started the league on a positive note last season by picking three points in our home soil.
“This time around, we are going to take back our own pound of flesh from them because we want to pick as many points as possible before the season gets tougher.’’
Okolie said that Godwin Zaki and other prolific strikers of the club were injured and would soon be fit to add more colour to the club.
He said: “We have lots of our strikers injured, but you cannot take anything away from the fit strikers as they have given the club a lift in the absence of others.’’
The media officer added that the club has the best combination of players in the league, as their goals in the ongoing season have come from different departments of the field.
Okolie called on the players to always play for each other with determination, zeal and commitment for one goal, which is victory to ensure a continental berth at the end of the league.
NAN reports that Rangers currently occupy the eight position s with nine points in the Nigeria Professional Football League standings.