Enugu Rangers International Football Club on Saturday defeated Gombe United FC in a rescheduled 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Gombe United drew the first blood in the 17th minute when the Rangers keeper failed to punch a cross from the left flank by Gombe United.

However, veteran striker Godwin Obaje equalised for Rangers in the 19th to give the home team hope.

Obaje made it 2-0 through a spot kick minutes later following a foul on goal-bound Kazeem Ogunleye to give the flying Antelopes a half-time lead.

On resumption in the second half, Gombe came out stronger, pushing back the home team to their half.

But their push was short-lived when Chidiebere Nwobodo scored the third goal, and a few minutes later, Ugochukwu Agu put the game beyond the visitors with the fourth goal through a free kick outside the eighteen-yard box.

In his reaction, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said though he was happy for the win, his ultimate aim is to reach where he wants to be.

“We are yet to reach the position we ought to be,” he said.

On his part, the coach of Gombe United, Alhahi Kwaranga, blamed his team’s poor performance on fatigue.

“We lost to fatigue. We arrived in Enugu this morning, so we lost due to fatigue,” he said.

(NAN)