Rangers, Shooting Stars rekindle rivalry
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Orkula Shaagee
- Hits: 2068
At that time, almost the entire Green Eagles squad was drawn from these two great clubs in Nigeria; with some still relevant in the affairs of Nigerian football today. That was how strong and colourful the two teams were to Nigerian football.
This explains why the two clubs were the only ones to have won for the country her first two continental football club trophies, Shooting Stars in 1976 and Rangers in 1977.
Rangers International of that time boasts of players like Chairman Christian Chukwu, Patrick and Emmanuel Okala, Aloysius Atuegbu and host of others; while Shooting Stars had Mathematical Segun Odegbami, Sam Ojebode, Muda Lawal, Felix Owolabi, Best Ogedegbe and a host of others who thereafter made waves with the senior national team. Even as the two clubs may have lost their steam, a league match involving the two sides could bring memories of past confrontations that made the league thick, electrifying and appealing to fans, officials and administrators.
Rangers boast of five league titles and five FA Cup crowns in addition to the 1977 African Cup Winners Cup, while Shooting Stars have to their credit the African Cup Winners Cup, CAF Cup and WAFU Cup. It also won the FA Cup and the Charity Cup in 1995.
So, as the two team square up this weekend ion Enugu for what should be the star match of the week, which is not based on their current standing on the league table, it will not be out of place to say rivalry will be on the menu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Shooting Stars who just return to top class football in the country this football season and not having the best of football, as they are placed 16 on the twenty-team table, as against Rangers’ fifth position.
Since drawing 0-0 against Lobi Stars at home last month, Rangers have also witnessed misery results of late and last two week they drew 1-1 away to Warri Wolves to begin their gradual return to the top.
Today, Rangers, handled by Alphonsus Dike will go all out to secure the maximum points and improve their chances of returning to continental football next season.
Henry Obiekwu, John Nwam and Chimaobi Chuwkwu are key players that Coach Dike would deploy to renew Shooting Stars’ pains of the 1975 FA Cup loss to Rangers.
Shooting who contracted Super Eagles Assistant Coach Fatai Amoo to improve their fortunes in the league will also strive to welcome their new handler with positive result by at least picking a point from tomorrow’s duel.
In the other matches, Tornadoes will be home to Dolphins, while Ranch Bees of Kaduna will host Enyimba of Aba in Kaduna. Bees who suffered a hone loss two weeks ago to visiting Kano Pillars would like to make amends by whipping their hosts. In Gombe, Gombe United plays host to Wikki Tourists, while Sharks are home to Kaduna United.
Also in Zamfara, Zamfara United whose home venue was placed under the watch list of the Nigeria Premier League will host Lobi Stars of Makurdi, while Kwara United are home to Ocean Boys of Brass. Bayelsa United who are at the basement of the table will play host to Kano Pillars, while Rangers host 3SC of Ibadan who last Tuesday unveiled Fatai Amoo as its new handler. The last match of the week will involve Warri Wolves and Gateway of Abeokuta in Oleh.
Articles
Rangers, Shooting Stars rekindle rivalry
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 2068
Any football match involving Rangers International of Enugu and Shooting Stars of Ibadan is a great match any day, even as the Nigerian league seems to have lost its flavour and patronage. Before the nineties, a football match, whether league or FA Cup that pitches Rangers against Shooting Stars could draw as much crowd that some matches between the Super Eagles and other national teams could not produce.At that time, almost the entire Green Eagles squad was drawn from these two great clubs in Nigeria; with some still relevant in the affairs of Nigerian football today. That was how strong and colourful the two teams were to Nigerian football.
This explains why the two clubs were the only ones to have won for the country her first two continental football club trophies, Shooting Stars in 1976 and Rangers in 1977.
Rangers International of that time boasts of players like Chairman Christian Chukwu, Patrick and Emmanuel Okala, Aloysius Atuegbu and host of others; while Shooting Stars had Mathematical Segun Odegbami, Sam Ojebode, Muda Lawal, Felix Owolabi, Best Ogedegbe and a host of others who thereafter made waves with the senior national team. Even as the two clubs may have lost their steam, a league match involving the two sides could bring memories of past confrontations that made the league thick, electrifying and appealing to fans, officials and administrators.
Rangers boast of five league titles and five FA Cup crowns in addition to the 1977 African Cup Winners Cup, while Shooting Stars have to their credit the African Cup Winners Cup, CAF Cup and WAFU Cup. It also won the FA Cup and the Charity Cup in 1995.
So, as the two team square up this weekend ion Enugu for what should be the star match of the week, which is not based on their current standing on the league table, it will not be out of place to say rivalry will be on the menu at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
Shooting Stars who just return to top class football in the country this football season and not having the best of football, as they are placed 16 on the twenty-team table, as against Rangers’ fifth position.
Since drawing 0-0 against Lobi Stars at home last month, Rangers have also witnessed misery results of late and last two week they drew 1-1 away to Warri Wolves to begin their gradual return to the top.
Today, Rangers, handled by Alphonsus Dike will go all out to secure the maximum points and improve their chances of returning to continental football next season.
Henry Obiekwu, John Nwam and Chimaobi Chuwkwu are key players that Coach Dike would deploy to renew Shooting Stars’ pains of the 1975 FA Cup loss to Rangers.
Shooting who contracted Super Eagles Assistant Coach Fatai Amoo to improve their fortunes in the league will also strive to welcome their new handler with positive result by at least picking a point from tomorrow’s duel.
In the other matches, Tornadoes will be home to Dolphins, while Ranch Bees of Kaduna will host Enyimba of Aba in Kaduna. Bees who suffered a hone loss two weeks ago to visiting Kano Pillars would like to make amends by whipping their hosts. In Gombe, Gombe United plays host to Wikki Tourists, while Sharks are home to Kaduna United.
Also in Zamfara, Zamfara United whose home venue was placed under the watch list of the Nigeria Premier League will host Lobi Stars of Makurdi, while Kwara United are home to Ocean Boys of Brass. Bayelsa United who are at the basement of the table will play host to Kano Pillars, while Rangers host 3SC of Ibadan who last Tuesday unveiled Fatai Amoo as its new handler. The last match of the week will involve Warri Wolves and Gateway of Abeokuta in Oleh.