Ahead of Rangers International opening NPFL fixture away against Katsina United, coach Abdul Maikaba is optimistic that the Antelopes of Enugu can take home the maximum points.
Speaking after the teams last training session on Saturday, Maikaba says “with what I have seen during the training session, I believe they are very, very ready for the match. Everything being equal if they can replicate what we have seen during the training sessions, on match day we can go home with the three points”.
Coach Maikaba says the team is not oblivious of the fact that Katsina United is plotting to ensure they win the encounter. With this in mind he has instructed his players not to be complacent.
“I am happy that there is no sign of fatigue after the long journey. And I hope that on match day the players physical condition would be better. We have trained in similar weather conditions, apart from the dust I believe the players are ready to play good football”.
For Tope Olusesi, captain of Enugu Rangers International, that they are in Katsina to win and are in high spirit to wrestle maximum points from Katsina United.
“It’s the first game of the season and we know how important the game is. We are not here for jamboree, we are here for serious business. We can’t come all the way from Enugu to Katsina and go back empty handed. I think we are prepared and we are hungry to get the maximum points here”.
Responding to the question if the weather and the condition of the pitch would significantly affect the performance of the Antelopes, Tope Olusesi thinks the pitch and weather won’t be a worry for him and his teammates.
“I think the pitch is a good one and we believe the weather is a nice one where every player would want to play good football. It would give us more energy to put more into the game”.
The match Day1 fixture between Katsina United and Enugu Rangers, is slated to kick-off at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium by 4pm today.
