Oriental foes, Rangers and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, return to the
battle ground for the official curtain raiser of the 2016/2017 season, as the Charity Cup will be decided between the League and Cup champions.
At stake is the bragging rights, a potential pyschological edge, an early leg up on confidence, and most importantly a chance to win the first silverware in
2017.
Wednesday’s clash will be the second time both sides will
meet since December, when FC IfeanyiUbah denied Rangers the Super Four title
after both sides shared points.
It was a match the Enugu side needed outright victory to be
crowned Super Four champions, but home fans were shocked to see a much improved
FC Ifeanyi Ubah preventing their neighbours from winning the title.
The NPFL title returned Rangers to the continent, while FC
IfeanyiUbah is set to debut in the continent’s second competition after
emerging Cup Champions, also on their debut.
Both teams have been busy in pre-season.
And
with both managers (Imama Amapakabo and Yaw Preko) keen to make a statement for
the new season, Sunday's clash is likely to be an intense affair - both on the
field and on the touchline.
Coaches
Rangers:
Imama Amapakabo
The former goalkeeper needs no introduction considering his
feat last season with Rangers.
Despite his career as a goalkeeper, Amapakabo has been able
to build a goal-scoring side with attacking flair.
FCIU was responsible for his inability to win the Super Four
and this is a chance to get revenge.
FCIU:
Yaw Preko
The former Ghanaian International gets a chance to win a
silverware in only his second official match for the club.
Interestingly, his first match for the club was against
Rangers and he deprived the Enugu side of the Super Four title.
Preko side played their best against Rangers during the
Super Four and pressure is on him to maintain the form on Wednesday.
Team
Captains
Rangers: Okey
Odita
FCIU: Adeleye Olamilekan
Rivalry
It was a glorious debut for the Nnewi as they claimed a
double over Rangers in 2015.
Rangers claimed a league victory over FC IfeanyiUbah for the
first time in 2016, while the Nnewi side won the reverse picture.
December’s Super Four clash was their fifth meeting and it
ended in a 1-1 draw.
The proximity has boosted the status of their rivalry.
One to
Watch
FCIU: Ngoma
Luamba
The Congolese has since become one of the biggest stars at
the club in just one year.
Interestingly, the fans love him and will be excited to see
him wear the colours of the club for another season.
Follow his exploits in the midfield as he attempts to
inspire his team on match day.
Rangers:
Bobby Clement
The big forward will lead Rangers’ quest for goals on
Wednesday.
Truth be told. Clement will keep the defence busy for 90
minutes and the defence must be alert to stop him.
When he’s not among the goal scorers, Clement helps with
assists.
Possible
Line Ups
FC
IfeanyiUbah: Ezenwa
Ikechukwu, Elu Wilson, Kojo Baah, Adeleye Olamilekan, Stephen Eze, Ngoma
Luamba, Oni Jimoh, Suleiman Mohammed. Tamen Medrano, Da Silva Alberico, Seka Pascal,
Rangers: Nana Bonsu, Osas Okoro, Chidiebere
Okolie, Pape Ousmane, Okey Odita, Christian Madu, Godwin Aguda, Obinna Nwobodo, Ocheme Edoh, Bobby Clement, Tope Olusesi
Previous
Meetings:
2016
Super
Four: Enugu
FC IfeanyiUbah (Jimoh Oni) 1-1 Rangers (Godwin Aguda)
NPFL
2015/16 Season: Enugu
Rangers (Chisom Egbuchulam) 1-0 FCIU
NPFL
2015/16 Season: Nnewi
FCIU (Alberico da Silva, Chijioke Alakwe) 2-0 Rangers
NPFL
2014/2015 Season: Enugu
Rangers (Onoriode Odah, Godwin Aguda) 2-3 FCIU (Chukwude
Stephen, Austin Oladapo, Okereke Maduabuchi)
NPFL
2014/15 Season: Nnewi
FCIU (Chibuzor Okonkwo) 1-0 Rangers
Date/Time/Venue:
Wednesday, January 11, 2017/4:00pm/National Stadium, Abuja
Did You
Know? Both sides are meeting at a neutral venue for the first
time.
FACT:
Former Nigerian International, Chibuzor Okonkwo, became the first ex-Rangers
player to score against the Enugu side when FC Ifeanyi Ubah won the first-ever
NPFL match between both sides, in 2015.
Preview By OJEIKERE AIKHOJE
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