Enugu Rangers International football club management says it has successfully signed six new players to help the team challenge for a top finish in the 2023/2024 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The second stanza of the league is billed to commence on February 14, 2024.

The general manager/CEO of Rangers, Amobi Ezeaku, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Enugu.

The players include Uchenna Ezeala, a former central defender of 3SC of Ibadan, and Zulkifilu Mohammed Rabiu, a support striker who last featured for Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

Others are Odo Joshua Chidiebere, a returnee from Saudi Arabia; Ogbodo Kelechi Emmanuel, from a Football Academy; Aniji Ifeanyichukwu Michael, from Flying Angels FC; and Nebo Tochukwu Kingsley, from Olicon Rovers FC, all in Enugu.

“The new players would be taking the places vacated by players like Joel Okoro, Leonard Ugochukwu, Malachi Ohawume, Jonas Emmanuel, Barnabas Ingya, and few others that went on loan to other clubs in both the premier and lower leagues,” he said.

Ezeaku described the new players as quality legs that would help the coaching crew get the right mix to challenge for honours in the league and federation cup.

“We are glad we were able to complete these deals that would surely give our coaches enough opportunities to make selections that would help us challenge for honours this season and beyond.

“We went for experienced and youthful players and it is my belief that they will deliver the goods when it is needed,” Ezeaku said.

In his reaction, the coach of the team, Fidelis Ilechukwu, said the team was ready “to go.”

“What we did is a mix of youth and experience to help us confidently challenge for trophies this season.

“We expect a very tough and challenging second stanza with our eyes set on achieving our set target for the season,” Ilechukwu said.

Rangers are currently 10th in the 20-team league.

(NAN)