BY Amaechi Agbo
The General Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Barri Amobi Ezeaku, has expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for his unflinching support to the club in the just concluded 2025/26 Nigerian Premier Football League season.
Ezeaku also commended the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Llyod Ekweremadu, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Rangers Supporters Club, Sponsors, Rangers Foundation and Fans for their support, which enabled the team to win the NPFL for the ninth time.
He made the commendation at a media briefing to mark the end of the 2025/26 football campaign by Rangers International FC.
He said the success of the team wouldn’t have been possible without the solid support of all the stakeholders mentioned and others.
The general manager said that Rangers “never say die” spirit represented the history of the South Easterners, adding that Rangers is beyond a football club but a movement
He also used the occasion to pay tribute to those associated with Rangers, including the former media officer, Norbert Okolie, who began the season with the club but died on the way before the victory parade.
Ezeaku assured supporters of the club that having won the league twice in three years, attention has now shifted to the CAF Champions league.
He said that Rangers was a big brand and one of the ways to proving that is to win the CAF champions league.
“Our attention is now fully focused on winning the CAF champions league next season.
“As a matter of fact, I have been talking with former Enyimba GM, Felix Anyansi, who won the CAF champions league back-to-back, 2003/2004.
“Since Enyinba won it back in 2004, no Nigerian team has gone beyond the group stage, and I think only a big team as Rangers will break the jinx, ” he said.
The GM said that the club was planning to retain the bulk of the present players for continuity and proper blending.
” Only four players will be sold when the transfer window opens; we will retain the bulk of the present players and bring in few additions, ” Ezeaku explained.
On the speculations that he is on his way out of the club, he said he was taking his time and that his future with Rangers would be made public very soon.
“My availability as Rangers general manager will be officially confirmed within the next 21 days, I won’t be making the decision alone, ” he said.
He also confirmed that Fidelis Illechukwu will remain as coach of Rangers International for next season.
Ezeaku, however, expressed concern over threats to the life of Ilechukwu by a social media influencer, one Amaechi foundation, saying that the fellow has been banned from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium for all Rangers matches next season.
He also said that efforts were underway to extend the sanction to other stadia across the country.
Ezeaku berated the activities of the Amaechi Foundation, regretting that the influencer’s publications have been detrimental to the club and its management.
”The writings and publications of Amaechi Foundation on the social media platforms have caused problems for the team and its management, we are not happy especially our coach”.
”The process is also ongoing to ensure that he is also restricted from other stadiums in the country,” he said.
