Olorunfemi Victor
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Ranger International are planning on relocating their matches to the newly completed Awka Stadium according to reports.
The Enugu-based club moved their home matches in 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League season to the FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi following renovation work at their official home ground.
Several coaches across the league including veteran tikki-takka tactician, Abdul Maikabi and Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogunbote have made their displeasure known about the poor condition of the pitch of the seven-times NPFL champion, with Coach Maikaba stating that the pitch is not allowing freedom of expression of his players and therefore hampering their performance.
However, the hierarchy of Rangers have started to look for a way to solve the problem.
As reported by Completesports.com, officials of the club have already informed the Anambra State Sports Commission of the intention to move their home league games to the newly commissioned Akwa Stadium which was opened last year December.
In the same manner, the officials of the Fly Antelopes have also written to the League Management Company, LMC, requesting for the shift if their home matches to Awka which is near to their Enugu base and also conducive for TV match coverage.
It was learnt that the League Management Company, LMC have stipulated some conditions which must be fulfilled before their request can be granted.
“What is still holding us is the inner perimeter fencing at the Awka Stadium which LMC demanded for,” a Rangers official told Completesports.com.
This was corroborated by the Anambra FA Secretary, Chijioke Onyedika.
“Yes, Rangers have made their intention known through a memo to the State Sports Commission. But I’ve not been to the stadium this week to know if work has started on the inner perimeter fence or not.
“But as at last week when I visited the stadium, work was yet to start,” Onyedika said.
