Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2004.
Akpokona challenges wards
•As Rangers induct Ekeji, seven others into hall of
fame
By Emeka Nwani
Senior
Correspondent,
Lagos
Rangers of Enugu
coach, Lawrence Akpokona has challenged his players to put in their best
performance in this weekend’s second leg Confederation Cup game against
APR of Rwanda.
Akpokona who is
seeking to become the first coach to lead a club to win the newly introduced
competition charged the boys to see the match as one of the most important
games of the season.
“I have
spoken to them and told them that this is the match that will turn around their
fortunes.
“If we win,
then we are entitled to share part of the 500,000 dollars. This will help
finish the sign on fees of the players and officials.
“It will also
afford the players opportunity to showcase their talents since all the matches
will be shown live on television.
“Football
managers will get to watch them because by playing in the league stage of the
Confederation Cup, scouts will reckon with them and will go for some of them
that play well.
“They can
also make money by playing all the way to winning the Cup.
“So you can
see that this is a very important match. This is the time for them to put into
practice what they have learnt since the season started.
“They must
play well and avoid unnecessary mistakes. I am confident that we are going to
win to progress in the competition,” Akpokona boasted.
Meanwhile the
management of the club will initiate eight of the clubs ex-players into the
Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 25, during the second leg match with APR FC of
Rwanda, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
According to the
Club's PRO, Mr. Edwin Eze, the players to be investitured into the Hall of Fame
are Sam Oko, one of the oldest players of the club. Patrick Ozuah who played in
the defence before entering the University of Nigeria in 1972 will also be
honoured. He retired as the Director of Sports of Anambra State Sports Council.
He was called "Sahara" in his playing days.
Also to be honoured
is Patrick Ekeji, aka "Horse Power", in his playing days. He played
for Rangers after a stint with Vasco Dagama also of Enugu. He is at present the
Director of Sports in the Federal Ministry of Sports, Abuja.
Foster Ikeagu will
be honoured post-humously. The deadly penalty box finisher was one of the best
strikers the club ever had. He died few years ago.
Sylvanus Okpala,
aka 'Quick Silver', will also be honoured. He played and captained Rangers and
was instrumental to the club’s victories in the 80's. He later played and
captained the Super Eagles.
Mike Ogbodudu, one
of the pillars in the defence is also approved for investiture in the Hall of
fame. He was as tough as a tendon in his hey days before nagging knee inury
kept him out of action.
Chimezie Ngadi is
also a successful candidate for the Hall of fame investiture. He scored the two
goals against Alyufsalam Rocks in 1976 Challenge Cup Finals. His best outing
was in 1977 when Rangers played Police of Senegal. A shot taken by Sam Onyeaka
was parried back by Police goalkeeper to on rushing Chimezie Ngadi. As an
ex-policeman, Ngadi saluted the keeper and took a terrific shot that earned
Rangers the second goal. Rangers players were thoroughly beaten up after the
match except Ngadi who the Police of Senegal recognised as an ex-colleague in
the game of espirit de corps.
Finally Christian
Madu will also be called into the Hall of Fame. Madu joined Rangers in 1976
from Great Olympics of Ghana where he was called 'Gaboo'. He assisted Rangers tremendously
towards winning the 1977 Cup Winners Cup; scoring the first penalty against
Shooting Stars in the Semi-Finals in Kaduna in the ensuing penalty shoot out,
and also the penalty against Canon Sportif of Cameroun in the first leg final
match. Madu is one of the coaches handling Rangers today. He was adept at
penalty kicks.
