Rangers International F.C.

Enugu Rangers, (also known as Rangers International Football Club or Enugu Rangers FC), is a Nigerian professional association football team. They are based in Enugu and play their home games at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.[3] Enugu Rangers are one of the three oldest clubs in Nigeria since their formation in 1970, the other two being Bendel Insurance and Kano Pillars.[4]

"Rangers International Football Club" redirects here. For "The Rangers International Football Club Plc" in Scotland, see Ownership of Rangers F.C.

Rangers International F.C.
Full nameEnugu Rangers International Football Club
Nickname(s)Flying Antelopes[1]
Founded1970[2]
GroundNnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Capacity22,000
ChairmanDavidson Owumi
CoachSalisu Yusuf
LeagueNigeria Premier League
201714th

They are the only Nigerian team never to have been relegated from the Nigeria Premier League.[4]

History

The 1970s

Enugu Rangers were founded in 1970 and won a nationally organised tournament which allowed them to qualify for the 1971 African Cup of Champions Clubs.[5] Rangers first international tournament ended in defeat in the quarterfinal rounds, losing 0–3 on aggregate to ASEC Mimosas.[6]

They almost achieved instant success in the cup as well, making the final of the first Nigerian FA Cup in 1971, but losing 2–1 to Shooting Stars F.C..[7]

After winning the 1974 double, including a 2–0 cup final win over Mighty Jets, the Enugu players were given promotions at the Nigerian Sports Council and cars.[8][9]

Rangers lost the 1975 African Cup of Champions Clubs to Guinea's Hafia FC, earning left-back Silvanus Okpalla the nickname "Hafia" for his poor play in the final.[10] Enugu had overturned a 3–1 defeat in Egypt in the semifinal to qualify for the final. Founding Ranger Ernest Ufele retired after the defeat.[9]

International success finally came in 1977. The club, now managed by their first-ever captain Godwin Achebe, had lost several players to Ibo state when the new jurisdiction was created in 1976.[11] In the quarterfinals, they were held to a goalless draw at home by defensively minded ASF Police of Dakar. Twenty minutes into the second half, Rangers took the lead, silencing the Senegal stadium, and won the game 2–1. After the game ended, Nigerian press noted the team was beaten by Senegalese fans, including three stabbed Rangers players.[12] A military plane was flown to Dakar to evacuate the victors.[11]

The 1977 semi-finals set up one of the greatest ties in Nigerian football history as Enugu were drawn against Shooting Stars.[13] Rangers would go on to defeat Canon Yaounde 5–2 on aggregate in the final, including a 4–1 win on Nigerian soil.

During this time period, Rangers boasted a number of Nigerian national team players such as Christian Chukwu, goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala[14] and Aloysius Atuegbu.[13]

The 1980s

Led by coach Christian Chukwu, Enugu won the 1983 Nigerian Cup, defeating DIC Bees of Kaduna 5–4 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[15][16][8]

Rangers won their sixth title in 1984 with a number of players who had led Nigeria to the 1980 African Cup of Nations.[17][18] Louis Igwilo captained the team.[19]

The 1990s: lean years

Rangers joined the new fully professional league in 1990 and made cup final that year, losing to Stationery Stores on 5–4 on penalty kicks.[20] They would not make another cup final appearance in the decade, and their best league finish was third in 1998.[21]

The 2000s

Enugu topped the table after the 2001 home and away season but finished bottom of the four-team championship playoff group.[22]

Enugu Rangers made the group stage of the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup and missed out on winning the group and making the final after losing a head-to-head tiebreaker to Asante Kotoko. Rangers drew 0–0 against Angola's Petro de Luanda and celebrated, thinking they had advanced on goal difference, but the first tiebreaker was head-to-head.[23]

In 2008–09, they played some games in nearby Abakaliki and Nnewi as their stadium was renovated for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Before the season started, Enugu State governor Sullivan Chime paid the backlog of sign-on fees dating to three years ago and all other debts owed the players.

In November 2008, Rangers became the first Nigerian clubside to be a public company and sell ownership stock.[24] However the deal fell through, and the club began the 2009 season in debt.[25] The club is currently owned by the state government.[4]

Enugu did begin a 12-year run of success in a minor trophy, the local state FA Cup, which they won every year from 2005 to 2017.[26]

2016–current: Success again

After a 2015 season which nearly saw them relegated, Enugu won the 2016 Nigeria Premier League, their first championship since 1982.[27] Closest challengers Rivers United needed Enugu to lose on the final day of the season, but Rangers won their game against El-Kanemi Warriors 4–0 to win the championship.[28][29]

2017 saw Enugu struggle, dropping into the relegation zone halfway through the season.[4] They recovered, finishing 14th and keeping alive their streak of never being relegated from the top flight.

The club went on to won their first Nigerian Cup in 35 years in 2018.[30] Rangers stunned Kano Pillars, coming back from a 3–0 deficit to win the trophy on penalties. Ajani Ibrahim scored on a diving header two minutes into stoppage time to tie the game 3–3.[31] Rangers played in the final five times from 1987 to 2007, never winning once.[4]

In the first championship playoff clash on Wednesday, June 13, 2019, Enugu Rangers defeated FC IfeanyiUbah 4–2 in a six-goal thriller to secure a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Rivalries

Enyimba and Rangers compete in the "Oriental derby."[32]

Honours
1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 2016
1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983, 2018
2004
1977

Performance in CAF competitions

The club had 7 appearances in African Cup of Champions Clubs from 1971 to 1985 and 3 appearances in CAF Champions League from 2006 to 2017.

2004 – Group stage
2005 – Intermediate Round
2013 – Intermediate Round
2017 – Playoff Round
2018–19 – Group stage
2019–20 – Group stage
1996 – Second Round
2003 – Semi-finals
1977 – Champion
1984 – Quarter-finals

Current first team squad

As of 30 December 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 GK  NGA Opubo Japhet
4 MF  NGA Uche John Akubueze
3 MF  CIV Roland Koffi
6 DF  NGA Shedrack Francis
7 MF  NGA Ifeanyi Nweke
9  NGA Christian Nnaji
10  NGA Ugochukwu Ugwuoke
11  NGA Godspower Aniefiok
13 MF  BEN Isaac Louté
16 GK  NGA Olufemi Thomas
17 MF  NGA Ibrahim Olawoyin
18  NGA Chinonso Eziekwe
19  NGA Dauda Madaki
No. Pos. Nation Player
20  NGA Tope Olusesi
22  NGA Shedrack Asiegbu
24 MF  NGA Ernest Governor
25 GK  GHA Nana Bonsu
26  NGA Tony Shimaga
29  NGA Kenechukwu Agu
27  NGA Israel Abia
30 MF  NGA Chiamaka Madu
31  NGA Chidiebere Nwobodo
33  NGA Ebuka Franklin Anthony
34 DF  NGA Semiu Liadi
— FW  NGA Chidera Ezeh
— FW  NGA Kelvin Itoya

Staff

Chairman

  • Festus Onu

general manager

  • Prince Davidson Owumi[33]

Team Manager

  • Amobi Ezeaku

Head Coach

Chief Coach

  • Mbwas Mangut

Physiotherapist

  • Adejuyigbe Opeyemi

Assistant Coach I

  • John Edeh

Assistant Coach II

    Trainer I

    • []

    Trainer II

    • ]

    Trainer III

    • []

    Trainer IV

    • []

    GoalKeeper Trainer I

    • [Victor Okoh]

    GoalKeeper Trainer II

    • []

    Media Officer

    • [Norbert Okolie]

    Former head coaches

    Notable players

    References
    1. "Nigeria: This Rangers Team Will Be Like 70s Squad – Okala". allafrica.com. 30 September 2004.
    3. "Nigeria – Enugu Rangers International FC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway". Soccerway.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    4. "Enugu Rangers: The journey to ignominy". Espn.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    5. Schöggl, Hans. "Nigeria 1970–79".
    6. "L'Historique du Parcours de l'ASEC". ASEC Mimosas.
    7. "Aiteo Cup Final: 7 Memorable 1970s, 1980s, 1990s Cup Finals". 24 October 2017.
    8. "Chukwu: Rangers Have Brought Glory To Entire South Eastern Nigeria – Complete Sports Nigeria". Completesportsnigeria.com. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    9. "In life, in death; two Rangers legends remain inseparable". Vanguardgr.com. 3 October 2014.
    10. Ekwowusi, Sonnie (5 October 2016). "The Return of Enugu Rangers". Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    11. "Rangers Int'l Football Club(4): First international trophy – Vanguard News Nigeria". Vanguardngr.com. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    12. "The return of Rangers International FC – The Sun Nigeria". Sunnewsonline.com. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    13. "Igbo vs Yoruba: The Clash Of The Brothers 1977, By Remigius Akinbinu [MUST READ]". Uncova.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    15. "Nigeria 1983".
    16. "Enugu Rangers Rewrite History in Unprecedented Fashion – Busy Buddies". Busybuddiesng.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    17. "Nigeria 1984". RSSSF.
    18. "NPFL Triumph-What next for Enugu Rangers". Goal.com.
    19. "Rangers' victory answers Sayama's question 36 years on". Vanguard Nigeria.
    20. "Nigeria – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
    21. "Nigeria 1998". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    22. "Nigeria 2001". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
    23. "CAF Dismiss Enugu Rangers' Protest". Retrieved 25 October 2018.
    24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-11-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    26. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2018-10-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    27. "Enugu Rangers win Nigeria Professional Football League title as Rivers United and Wikki Tourists slip up - Goal.com". Goal.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    28. "NPFL: Rivers Utd will fight till end, says Captain". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    29. "Enugu Rangers Win First Football League Title in 32 Years • Channels Television". Channelstv.com. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    30. "Enugu Rangers Win First Nigerian Cup Since 1983".
    31. Akpodonor, Gowon (25 October 2018). "Rangers rise from 0–3 down to beat Kano Pillars". Retrieved 25 October 2018.
    32. "NPFL: Rangers, Enyimba Clash In Oriental Derby; MFM Host Heartland – Complete Sports Nigeria". Completesportnigeria.com. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
    33. Dada, Gbolahan (6 February 2017). "My experience'll count for Rangers – Chukwu". thepointng.com. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
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