FC IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday emerged winners of 2017 NFF Charity Cup after seeing off 2016 Premier League Champions Rangers Int'L 4-3 in the aftermath of a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation time at the Abuja National Stadium.
Coach Yaw Preko tutored side had a mix blend core of the team from last season with new additions made by the club from the transfer market. The Anambra Warriors side captained by Adeleye Olamilekan had Super Eagles Goalie Ikechukwu Ezenwa returning to the team set up alongside Kojo Baah, Elu Wilson, Ngoma Luamba, Oni Jimoh and Tamen Medrano. New acquisitions Adou Blaise, King Osanga, Prince Aggrey and Yaya Kone got the coach's nod.
The first half commenced on a very cagey note with the two sides cancelling each other attacking moves with Rangers the team showing more fluidity via darting runs, good ball control and exchanges by the likes of former Enyimba forward Daniel Etor, Obinna Nwobodo and Omoniwari Fortune. The flying Antelopes came close to getting the curtain raiser in the 30th minute as FC IfeanyiUbah Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was caught napping while chasing a lose ball in the box, however Fortune Omoniwari's header in the ensuing melee was well over the bar. Three minutes after that, Left full back Kojo Baah got his matching orders as a result of a heated argument with the assistant referee 2 which resulted in a second booking after he had earlier bagged one in the 5th minute for a replica action.
The second kick started with Skipper Adeleye Olamilekan replaced with the tallest defender in the NPFL Eze Stephen signed from Sunshine Stars. The numerical disadvantage for the Anambra Warriors was literally unfelt with Yaya Kone and Jimoh Oni creating half chances begging to be finished. Rangers' Okolie Chidiebere had a powerful header hit the crossbar, the situation can be likened to the goal scored by Olivier Giroud against Manchester United earlier this season, however Okolie's effort wouldn't have counted if it had hit the back of the net as he was in an offside positional play. Substitute Seka Pascal who was introduced in the 76th minute made immediate impact on entrance as he chest trapped Elu's incisive through ball teeing Prince Aggrey who unleashed a powerful shot with Antelopes' Goalkeeper Nana Bonsu to the rescue. That was the last act as the referee brought the game to an end with penalty kicks deciding the win in which FC IfeanyiUbah triumphed with a 4-3 win.
In his reaction, Chairman of the club, Chukwuma Ubah thanked the lads for the display, resilience and act of doggedness shown by the players despite being a man down. The chairman who had an evening session to felicitate with the players urged them to do more starting with the game against Kano Pillars in the opening day of the League season on Saturday. He concluded the session with a message from the President Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who gave the sum of one million Naira to the team for the victory.
Reacting also Coach Yaw Preko who was in a very bullish mood said the win will serve as a springboard for many more to come. He said the match against Rangers was the last act in preparing the team both on the physical and mental front as the season kicks in.
The first half commenced on a very cagey note with the two sides cancelling each other attacking moves with Rangers the team showing more fluidity via darting runs, good ball control and exchanges by the likes of former Enyimba forward Daniel Etor, Obinna Nwobodo and Omoniwari Fortune. The flying Antelopes came close to getting the curtain raiser in the 30th minute as FC IfeanyiUbah Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was caught napping while chasing a lose ball in the box, however Fortune Omoniwari's header in the ensuing melee was well over the bar. Three minutes after that, Left full back Kojo Baah got his matching orders as a result of a heated argument with the assistant referee 2 which resulted in a second booking after he had earlier bagged one in the 5th minute for a replica action.
The second kick started with Skipper Adeleye Olamilekan replaced with the tallest defender in the NPFL Eze Stephen signed from Sunshine Stars. The numerical disadvantage for the Anambra Warriors was literally unfelt with Yaya Kone and Jimoh Oni creating half chances begging to be finished. Rangers' Okolie Chidiebere had a powerful header hit the crossbar, the situation can be likened to the goal scored by Olivier Giroud against Manchester United earlier this season, however Okolie's effort wouldn't have counted if it had hit the back of the net as he was in an offside positional play. Substitute Seka Pascal who was introduced in the 76th minute made immediate impact on entrance as he chest trapped Elu's incisive through ball teeing Prince Aggrey who unleashed a powerful shot with Antelopes' Goalkeeper Nana Bonsu to the rescue. That was the last act as the referee brought the game to an end with penalty kicks deciding the win in which FC IfeanyiUbah triumphed with a 4-3 win.
In his reaction, Chairman of the club, Chukwuma Ubah thanked the lads for the display, resilience and act of doggedness shown by the players despite being a man down. The chairman who had an evening session to felicitate with the players urged them to do more starting with the game against Kano Pillars in the opening day of the League season on Saturday. He concluded the session with a message from the President Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who gave the sum of one million Naira to the team for the victory.
Reacting also Coach Yaw Preko who was in a very bullish mood said the win will serve as a springboard for many more to come. He said the match against Rangers was the last act in preparing the team both on the physical and mental front as the season kicks in.
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| Players taking photos with the trophy in locker room |
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Nigerian League