The 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off with a disappointing start for Enugu Rangers, as they were held to a goalless draw by El-Kanemi Warriors in their opening fixture at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Saturday. Despite high expectations and a strong lineup, the Flying Antelopes failed to secure the victory that their fans were hoping for.
Rangers’ captain, Chinemerem Ugwueze, did not mince words when reflecting on the team’s performance. Speaking to the NPFL website, Ugwueze admitted that the players fell short of their own expectations and the plans they had laid out for the match.
“It’s a bad day at the office,” Ugwueze confessed. “The result wasn’t what we were expecting. I believe we are better than this, but our plans didn’t go as mapped out.”
The match, which many anticipated would set a strong tone for Rangers’ season, ended in frustration as the team struggled to find the back of the net. El-Kanemi Warriors, known for their resilience, managed to keep Rangers at bay, denying them any clear opportunities to score.
Rangers dominated possession and created several chances throughout the game, but a combination of solid defending from the Warriors and a lack of clinical finishing from the hosts saw the match end in a stalemate. The result left fans disappointed, especially given the pre-season optimism surrounding the team.
Ugwueze’s comments highlight the team’s awareness of the missed opportunity and the need to quickly regroup. As one of the leaders in the squad, his acknowledgment of the underwhelming performance reflects a desire to ensure the team bounces back stronger in their subsequent matches.
The Flying Antelopes will need to quickly put this result behind them as they look ahead to their next fixture. With the season just beginning, there is still plenty of time for Rangers to make their mark, but Ugwueze and his teammates know they must improve if they are to challenge for the NPFL title.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Rangers to see if they can recover from this early setback and fulfill the potential that many believe they have. For now, though, the focus will be on addressing the issues that led to their lackluster performance against El-Kanemi Warriors.
