Nigeria Content Online

The
Chief Executive Officer of Rangers International FC, Ozor Paul
Chibuzor, has said that his team, which ended last season in fifth
position, has been re-positioned to make a bold statement this term
when the new season kicks off on Saturday.

In an exclusive
interview, the soft spoken club administrator said his team was fully
prepared for the new season with the retention of about 75% of players
that featured for the Enugu-based ‘Flying Antelopes’ last season.

“I must tell you
that Rangers is very much ready to reclaim all its lost glory this
coming season. We have learnt our lessons from last season which to
some extent, have to be celebrated because, for a long while, Rangers
have not had the opportunity of playing teams from outside our shores
and with our fifth place finish, our fans can enjoy some sort of
international football with qualification for next season’s WAFU cup,”
Chibuzor said. “I can tell you that as I talk, only two players are yet
to sign the contract papers with us and it is because they are in the
senior national team. So, we are ready to give Enyimba of Aba a run for
the trophy they won last season.”

The roster is already full

On reports making
the rounds that players were not willing to sign for the club and that
he was not in the good books of the clubs’ sole financier, Chibuzor
said, “There is no iota of truth in that as I can conveniently tell you
that 98% of players that we need for the new season have all signed for
us and for all the noise that the clubs’ supporters want me out, I term
that the work of the clubs’ detractors that are operating within the
club. But, for some few selfish individuals that are self-seeking, we
are an organized group that has one goal of leading Rangers to the
promise land this season.

“For the new
season, we can boast of a very dedicated set of players that are
willing to spill their blood for the club. With the likes of Francis
Okammor, Uche Oguchi, Uche Ugochukwu, James Okwosah, John Aguda and a
host of other new players working with the retained players, I don’t
have any doubt that we will come out tops in the coming season. On the
players and coaches entitlements, he said: “I have had fruitful talks
with the state SSG and before the start of the new season, and the
backlog of dues owed will be settled with some remuneration for the new
season also been offset.

“Also, the
technical crew led by Alphonsus Dike, that has done marvellously well
will continue the good work of leading Rangers to the glory land,” said
the former U.S based club administrator.

Rangers will play their first match of the season at home against
Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. Kickoff
is scheduled for 4pm, local time.