Rangers International F.C. of Enugu, the top-ranked team in Nigeria’s top division, has appointed Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu as its technical adviser.
The football strategist from Anambra State replaces coach Abdul Maikaba, whose two-year deal with the team just expired.
According to African Examiner Sports, a slew of sports journalists were there to cover the quick but vibrant ceremony on Wednesday at the club’s corporate headquarters in Government Reserved Area G.R.A., Enugu.
Together with the Enugu state F.A. chairman, Hon. Tony Ugwu, who was represented by Board member of the Association, Foster Chime, the club’s living icon and former Super Eagles Coach, Chief Christian Chukwu, who played and coached Rangers, also attended the ceremony.
Dr Orji Iloakazi, the national head of the Rangers football club supporters group and many other important club stakeholders are also present.
“I must first express appreciation to the governor of Enugu state, the management of Rangers International F.C., fans, and the media who are extremely essential in this business,” coach Ilechukwu said after signing the document and receiving the team’s replica jerseys.
“I am really delighted to be here, and I am quite certain that I can make things work here and obtain the results that Rangers needs to reach to the level it deserves in the two years I have signed,” the new employee said.
The new Rangers TA promised to use his deep knowledge of the round leather game for the team’s benefit, and he pledged to use whatever legal means at his disposal to put Rangers back where it belongs in the national football landscape.
But before setting out on his adventure, he requested the collaboration of all important stakeholders, including the sports media.
“I agree to join Rangers because we can put together a squad capable of beginning to win trophies, and I am aware of the club’s fans’ desire for titles.
The club’s administrative secretary, Barrister Ferdinand Ugwuarua, introduced the former manager of M.F.M. F.C., Heartland, and Plateau United earlier and said, “I want to appreciate God for making this event a reality, just as we owe a lot to the sports-loving governor of Enugu state, H.E. Barrister Peter Mbah, for graciously approving this event as well as all critical stakeholders that came out for this event.
“This young coach has all he needs to build his résumé, and we are fully behind him to guide us to many victories on the local stage so we may have another chance at the continent,” the team said.
“We quickly moved forward with our programme by going out in search of a perfect replacement which we found in coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and today, we present him to the sporting media and other stakeholders as we believe that he has what it takes to lead the club to a high place where the club rightly belong,” the statement read. “Our previous coach, Abdul Maikaba, failed to renew his contract at the end of last season.
Chief Christian Chukwu said in a short statement, “The management did the right thing by going and getting coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, and we are going to give him the support to succeed.”
The coach was happy to see what he observed when he visited the players’ camp after the club’s corporate office operations, where the gym, sick bay, and other amenities are situated.
Dr Iloakasi, National Chairman of the Rangers fans group, promised the new T.A. their dedication and unwavering support in guaranteeing his success in a conversation with Our Correspondent.
