Enugu Rangers, the reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), returned to winning form with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United in a rescheduled league match on Thursday. The Flying Antelopes, coming off a disappointing defeat to Remo Stars last weekend, showed resilience as they battled to earn three valuable points and reignite their campaign.
In a closely contested match at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, it was substitute Isaac Saviour who emerged as the hero for Rangers.
The young forward came off the bench in the second half and delivered a decisive goal 20 minutes from full-time, ensuring his side’s return to winning ways.
Saviour’s clinical finish from inside the penalty area marked his first goal of the season for the team, and it couldn’t have come at a more critical moment.
The victory was especially significant for head coach Fidelis Illechukwu, whose side was under pressure following their 1-0 loss to Remo Stars in Ikenne last weekend.
The result saw Rangers drop points early in the campaign, but Illechukwu’s men responded with determination and composure in front of their home fans.
While the match was tightly contested, Rangers dominated possession for long spells but struggled to break down a well-organized Bayelsa United defense.
Despite creating several chances in the first half, the breakthrough eluded them as Bayelsa’s goalkeeper made some crucial saves.
However, the introduction of Saviour in the second half injected fresh energy into the Rangers attack, and the young striker made the difference with his goal in the 70th minute.
Speaking after the match, coach Illechukwu praised his team’s fighting spirit, acknowledging the importance of the victory as they look to defend their NPFL title.
“We needed to get back on track after last weekend’s defeat, and the boys showed great mentality today.
It wasn’t an easy game, but we fought hard and got the result we needed,” Illechukwu said.
With the win, Rangers climbed to sixth place in the NPFL standings, bolstering their hopes of staying in contention for the title as the season progresses.
The victory also serves as a confidence boost ahead of their upcoming clash with Abia Warriors in what promises to be a fiercely contested Oriental derby on Sunday.
For Bayelsa United, the defeat marked a setback, but they put up a strong defensive performance, keeping the champions at bay for most of the match.
Despite the loss, Bayelsa will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture.
As the NPFL season gathers momentum, Rangers will aim to build on this victory and maintain their form as they seek to retain the league title.
For Isaac Saviour, his match-winning goal could signal the start of an important contribution to his team’s campaign.
What better feeling than a comeback after a missed penalty… Saviour saves the day! @saviiour10 ⚡️#RANBAY #NPFL25#GloryDays #NeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/UnCqDAuvsN
— Rangers International FC (@Rangers_Intl) October 3, 2024
