Amapakabo Wants End to Rangers Title Drought
Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo is keen to land the club’s first major silverware in 32 years.
The Flying Antelopes currently occupy the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) standings with 10 points after five games.
Rangers are undefeated in their last four games following their moraleshattering opening day defeat away to four-time NPFL champions Kano Pillars.
“We were not clinical enough and made too many mistakes against Kano Pillars.
“If we had taken our chances in that game, we would have buried them.
“The good thing is that we recovered well enough after that painful defeat and have distinguished ourselves in the next four games we played after that,” Amapakabo told supersport.com. The youthful trainer was also quick to add that despite emerging as the season’s pacesetters, it is still too early to refer to his side as one of the favourites for the title.
“There are still 33 more matches to play and it is still very early days in the season.
“However, the objective is clear to everyone involved with this club that we are gunning for the big prize (title).
“From the players to the coaches to the fans everyone knows that this is one of the few remaining traditional clubs in the country.
“We want to win the title but we know it will require a lot of hard work,” he said.
Rangers next face Abia Warriors in NPFL action on Sunday and Amapakabo expects a stern test.
“They are the only unbeaten side in the league right now and they have a very good coach in Kennedy Boboye.
“We know it will not be easy as they will have massive support from their fans too.
“The good thing is that we will play our way, which is to attack. We create numerous chances in all our games and if our strikers finish those opportunities, I am sure we will not lose,” he submitted.
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors striker, Chisom Chikatara has said he will dutifully campaign against oriental neighbours, Enugu Rangers in Sunday’s clash at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) sensation, who is among the Super Eagles sweating it out under caretaker coach, Samson Siasia for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations double take against the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 25 in Kaduna and 29 in Alexandria respectively recently completed a switch to the Moroccan side, Wydad Athletic Club (WAC). The lanky goal poacher was handed jersey number 10 at the Brotola Moroccan league leaders.
Chikatara boasted that his side will puncture the Coal City side stellar performance in the five-week old Nigerian top league.
“Of course, I will be heading home to Umuahia right from the Super Eagles camp to play in the oriental derby against Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
“Yes, I have completed my move to the Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca but will wait to July to commence league action with the North African side.
“Part of the contract deals is that I will continue to play for Abia Warriors until I finally join Wydad so you will see me in Abia Warriors colours against Enugu Rangers on Sunday.
“Well, Enugu Rangers have done creditably well for themselves in the five-week old league but come on Sunday I think they will be there at Umuahia merely to honour the league clash as we will turn them back empty-handed.
“It’s a local derby largely to be difficult as expected but we will come out top from the derby.
“We must win the three points at stake to chance claiming the top spot so the three points are not negotiable,” said Chikatara to supersport.com.
Abia Warriors have nine points in their kitty one behind opponents and leaders, Enugu Rangers in the five-week old league.
The Abia Warriors versus Enugu Rangers match will kick off at 4:15pm local time.
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