Rangers International will be hoping to continue their impressive run when they play host to Lobi Stars in their newly adopted home ground at the Awka City Stadium, Awka, on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
The Flying Antelopes, who recorded an impressive away victory in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Matchday 18 against Akwa United in Uyo last Sunday thrashing the defending champions 3-0 with an all round performance from the Abdul Maikaba side.
The victory was the Rangers third away win of the season, moving to third on the league table on 31 points, eight points behind leaders Rivers United and seven behind Plateau United in second place.
For this weekend, the Abdul Maikaba side will be playing in a different home ground, after the League Management Company, LMC, approved the Awka City Stadium as Rangers International’s new home ground. This is a big boost for the team, as they struggled to take advantage of their home games at the FC Ifeanyiubah Stadium, in Nnewi.
Maikaba earlier complained about the surface of the pitch in Nnewi, which he said was the reason why his side always struggled to play well.
The Flying Anteoples, playing at the FC Ifeanyiubah Stadium in Nnewi, lost eight points at home this season, which is the lowest among the top five sides in the league.
Maikaba will be counting on his players to show up big time like they did against Akwa United last Sunday in Uyo.
Samuel Pam, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Shedrack Asiegbu all scored for Rangers International in the 3-0 victory in Uyo. But they will also have the likes of Ossy Martins, Christian Nnaji, Elijah Ani and Christian Madu to make a big difference for the side on Saturday against Lobi stars.
Lobi Stars has endured a difficult spell, playing away from home so far this season and are winless in all nine games on the road under former head coach Eddy Dombraye, who was sacked following a 2-1 home defeat by Imama Amapakabo’s Abia Warriors in Matchday.
Valentine Odoh’s brace secured Abia Warriors’ first away win of the season in Makurdi.
Interim coach Eugene Agagbe will have his hands full of smoke when he takes his side to Awka against in-form Rangers International.
Agagbe will have to count on the experience players he has in his squad, the likes of Nwabali Stanley, Ayagwa Raphael, Adams Olamilekan and Solomon Kwambe to help change their poor away form this season. Lobi Stars are unbeaten in their last two games against Rangers with both games ending in stalemates in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes are favourites because of their impressive away win last weekend in Uyo, while Agagbe and Lobi Stars have a big mountain to climb in Awka.
NPFL Matchday 19 fixtures for this weekend
On Saturday, March 19, 2022
Rangers Int’l vs Lobi Stars
Heartland FC vs MFM FC
Abia Warriors vs Katsina United
On Sunday, March 20, 2022
Remo Stars vs Kwara United
Plateau United vs Sunshine Stars
Wikki Tourists vs Enyimba
Rivers United vs Akwa United
Shooting Stars vs Nasarawa United
Dakkada FC vs Niger Tornadoes
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