TheNewsGuru

Tag: Rangers

  • Christian Chukwu not a destitute old man – Enugu govt

    Christian Chukwu not a destitute old man – Enugu govt

    The Enugu State Government has so far been restrained in its reaction to the spate of misinformation and outright lies promoted by a friend of the iconic Enugu Rangers player, Mr. Christian Chukwu who is ill and has been hospitalised.

    This restraint is out of respect to the wishes of both the Chukwu family and the request of his doctors who wanted a space to quietly deal with the emergency situation that brought Chukwu to hospital on a stretcher.

    A press release by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Hon Ogbuagu Anikwe, highlighted the fact about the latest health condition of the football legend.

    “Today, however, Chairman Chukwu is walking with a stick and has granted interviews to the BBC and a couple of local media. It is on the strength of this that the Enugu State Government is now putting out the following information and clarifications to explain what is happening to Christian Chukwu and how it is being taken care of.”

    Anikwe summarised the issues surrounding Chukwu’s health as follows.

    1. Christian Chukwu, popularly called “Chairman” in his playing days, is NOT a destitute old man abandoned to his fate in the face of an emergency health situation. He is currently the Director of Sports in the Rangers Management Corporation, a public service job that enables him to meet his basic health needs.

    2. In the circumstance, Christian Chukwu is an employee of the Enugu State Government. This was one of the strategies that Rt. Hon. Dr. Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Chukwu’s home state of Enugu, designed to take care of sportsmen who had served the State or the nation in their youth.

    3. When Chukwu’s health situation was brought to the attention of his employer – Rangers Management Corporation – he was rushed to one of the best medical facilities in Enugu where a team of five (5) specialists have been attending to him.

    4. The management of Rangers Management Corporation immediately deposited N200,000 with this health facility to begin his treatment.

    5. On hearing about his health condition, Gov. Ugwuanyi gave an additional N1.5million to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports to give to the family — in order to ensure that the football legend did not lack anything that the team of specialists may require to manage his condition.

    6. The Governor has also given an additional N1million to the family when the doctors demanded for a further deposit, bringing the total amount disbursed by Gov. Ugwuanyi and the Rangers Management to the Chukwu family to N2.7million.

    7. The total bill submitted to date by the hospital for Chukwu’s treatment is N2.7million.

    8. To date, the doctors taking care of Chukwu have NOT released a medical report of his health condition to anyone, not even to the state government that has been picking up his bills. It is therefore curious how anyone without this information could have determined that (a) Christian Chukwu needs oversea medical care, and (b) the cost of this oversea care.

    9. This point needs restating: the medical director of the Hospital is also as surprised as we are that someone in the USA who is not privy to a medical report on Chairman Chukwu’s condition can determine that (a) Chukwu needs a treatment abroad (b) the cost of such treatment, and (c) even without Chukwu or any member of his family asking for a second medical opinion or for treatment abroad.

    10. Our intervention on this matter has become necessary to clear the air on the spate of misinformation, disinformation and outright mischief that otherwise well-intentioned commentators have continued to dish out, based on the misguided efforts of a friend of the football legend who is giving a false impression that Chukwu is a destitute old man, perhaps in a bid to whip up public sympathy that enables him meet his goal of raising money to help his friend.

    11. The Enugu State government notes that the negative stories surrounding Chukwu’s condition originated from the desperation of his friend in the US who is falsely claiming in his appeal fund drive message that Chukwu has been “abandoned.”

    12. Finally, if at any time the hospital doctors or the Chukwu family indicate that oversea treatment is required, the Enugu State Government will be notified and will respond appropriately.

  • Lobi Stars beat Rangers International to lift 2018 NFF Super Cup

    Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi on Tuesday defeated Rangers International FC 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba to win the 2018 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Super Cup.

    The match, which started after 7.30 p.m., was watched by a handful of football fans, as many fans left the stadium after the Nigeria/Uganda friendly played earlier at the same venue.

    The first half saw the Enugu-based Rangers dominating play, with coordinated wing play and blistering passes, many of which caught the Lobi Stars’ defence napping.

    However, it was Lobi Stars who took the lead when Samad Kdiri rode the challenge from two defenders to shoot past goalkeeper Nana Bonsu to score.

    The remaining part of the first half saw a lot of wasted goal opportunities by both sides.

    In the 60th minute, Rangers were reduced to 10 men, after Solomon Okpaku was sent off after receiving two yellow cards from referee Bashiru Salisu.

    Rangers’ coach Gbenga Ogunbote made two quick substitutions, bringing in attacking midfielder Kelvin Itoya in the 67th minute as a replacement for Ifeanyi George.

    The two side had opportunities to score, but wasted their chances, with Itoya being the worst culprit after squandering a golden opportunity to level scores for his team.

    In an interview, Lobi Stars’ coach Solomon Ogbeide praised his team for the victory, saying they deserved to win the game.

    “I want to congratulate my players for this victory. Although we played our best today, there were some mistakes, which we will work on before our continental engagements.

    “However, let Nigerians feel free to criticise the team, because we are not yet at our best. We are still working on our lapses. We have areas to make amends. So, we are not celebrating yet.

    “Rangers are a good team. So, the game wasn’t an easy one for both teams, but thank God we won. This victory will help us in our preparations for our continental games,” Ogbeide said.

    Lobi Stars’ team captain Anthony Agbaje also told NAN in an interview that winning the Super Cup will help his team in their preparations for upcoming continental engagements.

    “This victory tonight is a welcome development, most especially as we get set to compete in next year’s CAF Champions League.

    “Rangers are a very good team. So, tonight’s game was a very difficult one. The two sides gave their best, but I must say I am glad that we won,” Agbaje said.

    NAN

  • Steven Gerrard appointed as Rangers manager

    Steven Gerrard appointed as Rangers manager

    Former Liverpool Skipper, Steven Gerrard has been appointed as Rangers manager on a four-year deal.

    Gerrard, 37, replaces Graeme Murty, who was placed in interim charge following the October sacking of Pedro Caixinha.

    Gerrard, who leaves his role as a youth coach at Anfield to take up the Rangers job this summer, captained the Reds and England.

    “I am honoured to become the next manager of Rangers,” Gerrard told Rangers’ website.

    “I have enormous respect for this football club, and its history and tradition. I can’t wait to start this new journey at Rangers as we look to build on the many successes that this club has achieved.”

    The club say Gerrard’s backroom staff “will be announced in due course”.

    Gerrard made 710 appearances and won nine trophies for Liverpool over 19 years and was capped 114 times by England. He captained the national team at three of the six major tournaments at which he played and was Reds skipper for almost 12 years.

    He retired in 2016 after a spell with LA Galaxy and joined the youth set-up at Anfield after rejecting an offer to become manager of MK Dons.

    Rangers chairman Dave King said: “From the very beginning, talks have been extremely positive and we believe that Steven is the right man to drive Rangers forward.

    “He was extremely impressive throughout our negotiations and we are convinced that he has the necessary knowledge and temperament to lead the club to the success we all desire.

    “This a special day for our club, our fans and for Steven.”

  • Rangers FC unveils 14 new players on Thursday

    Rangers International Football Club of Enugu is set to unveil 14 new players on Thursday, the club’s spokesman, Norbert Okolie, said on Wednesday.

    “The unveiling of our new players will be done on Thursday at the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

    “We expect all our die-hard supporters at the event, so that they can see the quality of the new players that we have been able to assemble to defend the Rangers colours,” the club spokesman said.

    Okolie told TheNewsguru that the new players would help to strengthen the Flying Antelopes in their 2017/2018 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign.

    TNG reports that the team being put together by coach Olugbenga Ogunbote returned to Enugu after two weeks of closed camping in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

    The club played six practice matches, winning five and drawing one during the camping.

    The team’s first match of the 2017/2018 NPFL season is against Aiteo Cup holders Akwa United FC in Uyo on Jan. 14.

    Rangers, the seven-time Nigerian league champions will then host Lobi Stars on Jan.

  • NPFL League Season: Rangers, Sunshine optimistic of good outing

    Ahead of the kick-off of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Season, Rangers International F.C of Enugu has expressed optimism of winning the prestigious trophy.

    The Technical Adviser of the team, Gbenga Ogunbote, told newsmen in Ijebu-Ode about his expectation for a successful season.

    “I have high expectations from my boys; our preparation for the season is almost complete as they recorded two wins in a day over two Lagos armature sides, at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the Enugu-based team, won two friendly matches played at Ijebu-Ode.

    The team defeated Rising Stars of Lagos 6-0 and Cityfut Current F.C of Gbagade, Lagos 2-0.

    “I must say that we are almost there with regards to what is expected of us as the season approaches.

    “I had earlier said that the result of the friendly matches does not really matter, but the way we play as a team is what matters to me.

    “ I have that strong belief that before the start of the season, all we expect from the players shall be in place,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Sunshine Stars of Akure on Thursday entered into close camping in Iloko-Ilesha, Osun, as part of the team’s final round of preparations for for the 2017/2018 NPFL season.

    The Head Coach of the team, Duke University, commended the management of the club over the arrangements for the camping.

    TNG reports that the team will use the Oloshere International School football field for training.

    The club is expected to be in Ilesha for nine days.

    “We want to thank the management of our team and the Ondo State Government for providing this good place for us for our camping, It is a nice place.

    “The arrangement for our camping is commendable, and we hope to reciprocate with good results in the season,’’ Udi said.

    The coac solicited the cooperation of the club’s fans.

    “With their support, this could be a good year and season for us,” he said.

    Sunshine Stars will depart Iloko-Ijesha to Owerri to play the match’s day one encounter against Heartland on Jan. 14.

  • Rangers’ pre-season programme impressive so far, official says

    Norbert Okolie, the Media Officer of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, on Wednesday said the club’s pre-season programme in Ijebu Ode has been impressive so far.

    Okolie told TheNewsGuru in Enugu that the team started the pre-season programme well with a victory over a club from Abeokuta.

    “We played a friendly match on Tuesday with an amateur side, Gadmaj FC of Abeokuta, and we beat them 4-0, with Abu Azeez scoring a brace, while Godwin Zaki and Kelvin Itoya completed the routing,’’ he said.

    The club spokesman said the Flying Antelopes defeated another amateur clubside Cityfut Current 2-0 on Wednesday to make it two wins and six goals in two matches.

    He said Salau Ibrahim scored in the 40th and 50th minutes to beat their opponents.

    Okolie told TNG further that the club’s Technical Adviser, Gbenga Ogunbote, was in full praise of the players after the match.

    “The work is on and Rangers will continue to work until it gets the right mix.

    “We are not looking at the result but the way we played, and I should say it was good and better and will continue in subsequent games,” he said.

    Okolie said the club was poised to play more friendly matches during the build-up for the new season.

  • South Africa-based sports philanthropist plans Rangers Academy

    South Africa-based sports philanthropist, Ephraim Onodu says he is planning an international novelty match to raise funds to build a football academy for Rangers FC of Enugu.

    He told the Sports Journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday that the friendly, tagged, Veterans Sports Foundation, would hold at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Jan. 7, 2018.

    He said that the state government had been informed and they gave their approval for the event to hold.

    “ The match will feature ex-Rangers stars and South Africa-based ex-internationals. The aim is to raise funds to build a football academy for Rangers International FC of Enugu.

    “ Investors have been invited to be part of the event. The investors will also act as scouts for the youths expected to be trained at the academy,” he said.

    Onodu said that Enugu was blessed with young football talents who had no opportunity to be exposed.

    “ For some reasons beyond them, these youths are not recognized despite their talents. The academy will be used to groom and expose them to the world.

    “ It will also serve as a breeding ground for Rangers FC. We are very optimistic that investors will key to this noble project and make it come true,” he said.

    Onodu said that former Rangers coaches who have been forgotten would be given special awards on the day of the event.

    “ The organisers are aware of the contributions of these great coaches to the success of Rangers. Special awards have been prepared for them. Ex-Rangers players on duty that day will also be given awards for their contributions to the team,” he said.

    Onodu said that ex-Nigerian internationals based in South Africa led by Willy Okpara, former Super Eagles and Orlando Pirates of South Africa keeper have intensified training for the match.

  • BREAKING: Pedro Caixinha sacked as Rangers manager

    Rangers have sacked manager Pedro Caixinha after seven months in charge.

     

    The decision was made at a board meeting called after Rangers conceded a late equaliser against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night. They lost the Scottish League Cup semi-final to Motherwell.

     

    Portuguese Caixinha, 46, was appointed in March and won 14 of his 26 games in charge.

     

    Assistant manager Helder Baptista and coaches Pedro Malta and Jose Belman have also left the Ibrox club.

     

    Rangers are fourth in the table, eight points behind leaders Celtic.

     

    After the Kilmarnock game, Caixinha said he was determined to remain in charge.