Fidelis Ilechukwu will have a rich squad to select from as Rangers International welcome Abia Warriors in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 5 Oriental Derby at the Cathedral, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, Completesports.com reports.
This follows the full recovery and return to match fitness of two key players, Onyekachi Okafor and Joel Odoh, after time out due to malaria and a thigh injury, respectively.
Okafor is an attacking player, while Odoh is a defender. Completesports.com checks reveal that Okafor was sidelined by a bout of malaria, while Odoh sustained a thigh injury during the Flying Antelopes’ CAF Champions League preliminary round fixture against Zilimadjou of Comoros. The two-legged tie was played at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, with the Nigerian champions prevailing 2-1 on aggregate.
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With Sunday’s Oriental Derby already lighting up the South-East football atmosphere, Ilechukwu, fondly called ‘The Working One,’ will be pleased to have both of his influential performers available for selection.
“Rangers are good to go. The return of two of our key players, Onyekachi Okafor, who was out due to malaria, and Joel Odoh, a defender who sustained a thigh injury during our continental match against Zilimadjou of Comoros, strengthens our readiness for the match against Abia Warriors,” a Rangers official told Completesports.com.
“This is an Oriental Derby, the El Clasico of the NPFL, akin to the North London or Manchester Derby in the English Premier League,” the official added.
The Flying Antelopes will head into Sunday’s match with a winning mentality, having secured a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United on Thursday, October 3, 2024, in a rescheduled NPFL Matchday 3 fixture.
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Similarly, Abia Warriors will arrive in Enugu looking to build on their 2-0 win over Kano Pillars last weekend, which saw them claim all three points.
One of the major talking points of the fixture will be the return of Imama Amapakabo to Enugu. The former Nigeria junior international goalkeeper will be on familiar ground, having guided Rangers to the 2016 NPFL title.
By Sab Osuji
1 Comment
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