Rangers suffered their first defeat in pre-season after going down 1-0 against Akwa United.
Seyi Oguntayo scored the winning goal for Akwa United in the encounter played at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechwuku, handed starts to the defensive quartet, Austin Opara, Philip Clement, David Chimezie and Barnabas Ingya.
The Promise Keepers settled quickest into their strides but the backline of the Flying Antelopes soaked all the pressures.
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Rangers had a chance in the 24th minute from Philip Clement but was tipped over by the Akwa United goalkeeper.
Akwa United coach, Fatai Osho fielded a new team in the second half of the encounter before Oguntayo capitalised on the shaky Rangers defense to blast home a long range effort to send the few watching fans of the home side into wild a celebration.
Meanwhile, The Enugu state government has promised to wrap up the renovation of the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium by November.
In a chat with journalists on Saturday, Lloyd Ekweremadu, the state’s commissioner for sports, said the government would ensure Enugu Rangers FC, the seven-time champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), return to the stadium by the promised month.
Rangers have been playing their home games at the Awka City Stadium, Anambra, since the renovation began in 2022.
Ekweremadu said although the “deadlines are quite short and ambitious”, the government remains optimistic about achieving the targets.
