Football fans in Enugu State have lauded the state governor, Mr Peter Mbah, for ensuring the return of Enugu Rangers Football Club to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium after two years.

Fans who spoke in Enugu on Thursday expressed joy, seeing their darling team return to the stadium, nicknamed “the cathedral.’’

They commended Mr Mbah for keeping to his promise of doing everything to ensure that the team played at the cathedral before the end of the year.

Recall that the governor had, on assumption of office, assured fans that the Flying Antelopes would return to the stadium before the end of 2023.

A football enthusiast and a long-time supporter of Rangers, Onyebuchi Eze, said that the governor did well by making the team’s return to their ancestral home possible.

“It is a big relief to some of us who have followed Rangers for over 50 years now. Last season, I was afraid that the club would go down to relegation for the first time since 1970, but thank God it never happened,” Mr Eze said.

“It is the pride of the East, and Mbah has restored our hope and our support to Rangers will continue. I, for one, will be in the stadium today to cheer the team to victory against 3SC of Ibadan,” he said.

Also speaking, Michael Ede, an ardent supporter of the team, said the governor had shown that he loved Rangers.

“I am really excited and can’t wait to watch our darling Rangers again at the cathedral. With our support, surely they will continue to win here, Enugu is a slaughter ground for visiting teams and 3SC will never escape the sledge hammer,” he said.

Sunday Idoko, another Rangers die- hard supporter, commended Mr Mbah for rising to the challenge by taking action in resolving the issue surrounding the closure of the stadium.

“We had wondered what was the problem for the past two years, the stadium remained locked with no football activities

“Incidentally, we kept hearing all sorts of stories, with some even alleging that it was political, but thanks to the governor for making it possible for Rangers to return to their base.

“To some of us, it is a big relief,”he said.

The NPFL week 16 match between Enugu Rangers and Shooting Stars of Ibadan comes up inside the 20,000 capacity stadium today by 4pm.

(NAN)