Rangers Targets Top Three Finish

In spite of throwing away the chance of remaining in the top three of the Premier League log at the weekend after a 1 – 1 draw at home to modest Zamfara United, head coach of Enugu Rangers, Alphonsus Dike, is still optimistic that his side possess the qualities to finish as high as possible.

Dike was quite disappointed that his side failed to kill off Zamfara United but feels that the third place spot on the log is still up for grabs.

Warri Wolves replaced Enugu Rangers in third place with 52 points, one above the Flying Antelopes.

The former Golden Eaglets’ coach is concerned that his side has failed to show the consistent form that saw it climb up the league table in the month of April when it went unbeaten in four matches.

“It is not all gloom for us yet because there are still a number of matches still to play in the season. But we must realise that we have dropped very vital points at home, which is not good for us,” he told Naijaligue.blogspot.com from Enugu.

In 17 home games, the Flying Antelopes has drawn six matches and Dike thinks his team needs to step it hard on the accelerator when it plays at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in order to win its remaining home games.

But the Flying Antelopes has a very difficult fixture left in this season campaign, which is just five matchdays away.

Enugu Rangers would travel to Bauchi this weekend to face Wikki Tourists followed by subsequent matches against Heartland (home on June 6), Enyimba (away on June 9), Sharks (home on June 13) and Dolphin Football Club (away on June 16).

Dike acknowledged that the remaining matches for his side are tasking, but said his side would step up the plate to battle for a third place finish.

“It has been a competitive season and no team should expect easy opponents at this time of the season because every point is important to every team. For us, we are not scared of playing any team because we are in the league to compete for honours. We will be very prepared going into our last five matches and will take the games one after another,” Dike said.