Ilechukwu wants two new forwards for Rangers’ NPFL title defense

Rangers International Head Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has exclusively said completesports.com that the Coal City Flying Antelopes are looking to sign two forwards to be fully prepared for the defense of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title as well as their 11th CAF Champions League campaign.

Ilechukwu, 48, who is affectionately called ‘The Worker’, was speaking on the sidelines of Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba in a pre-season friendly.

The two teams fielded almost entirely new sets of players, many of whom are understood to be on trial, and produced an entertaining competition with impressive performances.

Ilechukwu wants two more forwards before the new season

“This is our first important pre-season game and I must confess that it wasn’t all bad,” Ilechukwu began.

“The players are predominantly new and we are trying to get them fit, which is the reason for this friendly match. And I can say that it is worth it.

Also read: NPFL: Ilechukwu signs new one-year deal with Rangers

“However, I won’t say that we are completely ready for the season. I also can’t say that we are far behind. I think we still need to strengthen the team with, say, two forwards before we can say, yes, we are ready for the new season, which you said is about a month away.”

Ilechukwu has held managerial positions at MFM FC, Lagos, Heartland, Owerri and Plateau United, Jos, before joining Rangers two seasons ago.

In his first season in charge of the nine-time Nigeria League champions, Ilechukwu guided the Rangers to the 2023/2024 NPFL title. He was also in charge last season as the Coal City Flying Antelopes retained their domestic top flight crown in the concluded 2025/2026 campaign.

Ilechukwu credits Rangers management for continued success

The Super Eagles assistant coach remained humble when asked about his achievements in winning the title.

“That’s what you’re hired to do. As a coach, you hope to be successful through hard work and support from the club management as well as the state government,” Ilechukwu told Completesports.com.

“I must confess that the kind of support we have received from the Rangers management under Advocate Amobi Ezeaku as General Manager has been wonderful. We will continue to work, hoping to do better with each attempt.”

Also read: NPFL: Rangers players and officials earn ₦150 million cash and get reward for winning 2025/26 NPFL title

Ilechukwu was awarded a contract extension by the Rangers hierarchy after winning two NPFL titles during the first three years of his initial contract. He admitted that the saying “the reward for hard work is more work” still holds true.

“Yes, it’s true. And I can also add that to those who are given a lot, a lot should be expected. We will continue working and we will see how far we get at the end of the day,” he said.

Rangers will represent Nigeria, alongside Rivers United, in the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League. It will be the Flying Antelopes’ 11th appearance in Africa’s premier club competition.

Ironically, Rangers’ best achievement in the competition remains their runners-up finish in 1985, when they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Guinea’s Kaloum Stars after a goalless first leg in Conakry and a 2-1 defeat in the second leg in Lagos.

Rangers focus on breaking preliminary round spell

When asked about the weight of expectations ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League campaign, Ilechukwu said the immediate priority is to get through the preliminary rounds and reach the group stage.

“If you look at it, in the recent past it has been difficult to get through the preliminary rounds. The first preliminary match, then the second, and things get tough. Let’s bury that ghost first and then see how we do from the group stage,” Ilechukwu posited.