| Goals | Goals |
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| . (40’) | |
| . (57’) |
Rangers eye return to the top
Rangers skipper Okwuosa vs Rising Stars
Rangers were displaced by Kano Pillars from the top spot and could return to the summit with a home win and if Pillars falter at Heartland.
‘The Flying Antelopes’ are second on the table with 49 points, while Pillars have recorded 50 points, just as there are as many as six teams all in with a chance of climbing up the ladder in the top bracket.Rangers and Kwara United played out a goalless draw when both teams clashed in the reverse fixture in Ilorin.Rangers captain James Okwuosa said a victory over Kwara was not negotiable.
Okwuosa, who has formed a strong partnership with Cyril Oriaku in the heart of Rangers defence, told MTNFootball.com that there was no room for any mistakes against Kwara United as any slip would affect their chances of winning the league that it led for nearly 10 weeks.
“We are in the right frame of mind to collect all three points and ensure we keep hope alive in the chase for the league title,” said the big central defender, who was the unlikely hero when Rangers pipped ABS at the death recently.
“Surely, it will be a tough game going by the kind of results that both sides have recorded recently, but we are primed for the three points at stake.
“When we played in Ilorin they were lucky to escape with a draw but on Wednesday, it will be a different kettle of fish and there will be no room for any mistake from us.”
The defender said Rangers have put behind them four straight losses on the road.
“It is very painful to have lost four games on the road on a stretch but we have put that behind us now and we will make it up in the remaining games of the season,” he said.
“Our remaining seven games are a must-win for us and I believe that we have all it takes to do this for our teaming supporters who have been standing by us since the start of the season.”
Efe Yarhere is expected to lead Rangers strike in absence of top scorer Chikeluba Ofoedu, who is away on trials in Norway."It will not be easy but we will beat Kwara all the same,” promised the former Warri Wolves striker, who may now be partnered by Nigeria U20 striker Alhaji Gero.
Emeka Eze has also returned from the U20 camp, so too Eagles winger Ejike Uzoenyi, while Ugonna Uzochukwu will miss this game to attend to some personal matters.
Kwara are 12th on the table with 43 points and they said they hope to get a result in Enugu."We will battle Rangers for the points after we drew the first leg and I believe we can do same in Enugu or even win," said Kwara spokesman Olusola Ajide Olayioye.
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