TheCable

Okechukwu Onwudiariri, chairman, Rivers chapter, Rangers FC supporters club, says the team is the joy of Igbo people and as such, must not be relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He sounded the warning in reaction to the club’s 2-2 draw with Zesco Utd of Zambia in the ongoing African Confederation Cup.

He said the development was heartbreaking, noting that the supporters expected victory in the encounter after leading  2-0.

Onwudiariri, who advised the technical crew to be mindful of their performance in the domestic league, added that the supporters had fears that the club might be relegated.

“We are not happy with Rangers performance in the ongoing season because the club is the joy of millions of Igbo people,” he said.

“What pains us most is the 2-2 draw with Zesco after an early 2-0 lead up to 69th minute only to relinquish the advantage after wrong substitution by the coach that favoured the Zambians.

“Thank God that the imported Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, saved us from further embarrassment with a brilliant last minute save, if not, the Zambians would have defeated Rangers.

“We won the league last season and this season we are occupying the bottom position in the league and facing relegation, but honestly, we are not expecting that.

“Our position at the league is very bad, therefore we want them to come out of it; indeed, we cannot take relegation from anybody.

“It is better that the government comes into this matter and perform its duty diligently to ensure that the club did not go on relegation for the first time in history.”

Rangers is currently at the bottom of the league table with 13 points from 14 matches.