By Daily Sports on December 1, 2016

If you belong to the school of thought that doesn’t place much premium on the result of a friendly match, then Rangers International of Enugu’s 1-3 loss to grassroots side BJ Foundation of Benin City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City could be waved aside as an insignificant result in the overall scheme of things as far as the Nigerian Premier League champions’ preparation for the upcoming season is concerned. But if friendly match results are indicative of a certain pattern of how things are progressing for a team going into a new season, then Rangers have cause to worry.

Last Saturday, November 26, 2016, Rangers faced a very formidable side in BJ and the manner of their slump could well be described as embarrassing. Rangers had earlier suffered a 1-2 loss to another grassroots outfit Buffalo FC, but that was easily explained away because Rangers had lined up mostly players on trials. But against BJ, The Flying Antelopes, who are at an advanced stage of their pre-season programme, were fully loaded with mostly first team players but were comprehensively outplayed and beaten.

BJ themselves are no pushovers. They have a rich history of having won many local and international competitions. Against Rangers they paraded their big names, some of whom are returning from loan spells in some local and international clubs.

Olympic bronze medallist Saturday Erimuya (who is set to sign for Spanish division two side Cadiz), Finland-based Freedom Omofoma and Abraham Odianose of Bendel Insurance all featured for their parent club.

The first half was a mismatch of sorts as BJ ran rings around Rangers. Omofoma was sparkling on the wings as he led the BJ attack with excellent support from Uche Ekpete and Junior Osaghae. Omofoma and Ekpete got on the score sheet with excellent strikes, while attacking midfielder Solomon Osaghae completed the rout with a superbly-taken shot. After a raft of substitutions from both sides in the second half, Rangers scored a consolatory goal.

BJ’s performance in this game should serve as a big boost to many grassroots sides around the country with the message being that Premier League players are not super humans who cannot be outplayed.

Last year BJ thrashed then Premier League side Heartland 3-1 in the third round of the Confederations Cup, a result that reverberated around the country. This victory over Rangers shows that that result was no fluke and it speaks volumes about a side that is ambitious and fearless in its march to continue to produce great players for the world to see.

There are several old boys of the club who are currently doing well in Europe. That list includes Chelsea’s Victor Moses, Monaco’s Elderson Echiejile, Porto’s Mikel Agu and Watford’s Isaac Success.

The chairman and chief coach of the club Douglas Idahosa wasn’t around to coach the boys on Saturday as he’s currently on holiday in Europe. It tells much about the stability of the team that the boys could produce such a wonderful performance even in his absence.

For Rangers, there’s clear evidence that there’s more work to be done if they hope to successfully defend their League crown and do well in the CAF Champions League.

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 1, 2016

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