Rangers International head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu says his side are prepared for a demanding test when they face Abia Warriors in Saturday’s Oriental derby, as two Nigerian Premier Football League title contenders meet in Aba.
The fixture will be staged at the Enyimba International Stadium, where Abia Warriors will play their first “home” match of the season after being banished from their usual base in Umuahia by the league body.
Rangers head into the clash third on the NPFL table with 39 points from 24 matches (11 wins, six draws, seven defeats), while Abia Warriors sit fifth with 38 points from 24 games (11 wins, five draws, eight defeats), leaving little margin between both sides in a tightly packed title race.
Speaking to The Athletic NG ahead of the game, Ilechukwu acknowledged the significance of the occasion and the challenge it presents.
“We are here in Aba to do our best. It’s a rental derby and I know it’s always difficult,” he said.
“Tomorrow’s game is going to be tough for both of us, but we have a game plan and we have worked so much in the past days because of this game.”
Photo Credit: The Athletic NG Images
Despite Abia Warriors unfamiliar surroundings, Ilechukwu insisted venue will not influence Rangers approach.
“Everywhere is home for us. Every other place is just a football field,” he added.
“We train our players to have the mentality that you must prepare yourself to play anywhere.”
Rangers away form has supported that mindset, with the Flying Antelopes collecting important results on the road to remain firmly in contention.
Recent meetings between the two sides underline how closely matched the Oriental derby has been, with Rangers holding a narrow advantage (Rangers wins 3, Abia Warriors wins 2) across the last five encounters.
Rangers arrive in better recent form, taking three wins and a draw from their last five league games, including a 0–0 draw against leaders Rivers United.
Iwundu celebrating alongside his Rangers teammates. The center back has scored 7 goals this season. Photo Credit: Rangers Media
Abia Warriors, meanwhile, have recorded one win, two draws and two defeats over the same period.
Ilechukwu confirmed league top scorer Godwin Obaje has returned after missing the previous match but stressed Rangers’ identity is built on collective strength.
“Obaje is important, but he’s not everything,” he said.
“There’s no player we depend on. We depend on everybody and everybody depends on us.”
Godwin Obaje has scored 8 goals and his joint top scorer in the NPFL 2026. Photo Credit: Rangers/X
Sunday’s derby also carries a personal edge, with Ilechukwu facing his mentor Imama Amapakabo, the coach who led Rangers to the NPFL title in 2016 and now oversees Abia Warriors.
“The only difference is that Imama is my boss,” Ilechukwu said.
“But I think the time has come where the younger ones will take over from their boss.”
Imama Amapakabo. Photo Credit: Abia Warriors/X
The Rangers coach framed the duel in father-and-son terms, acknowledging the respect he holds for Amapakabo while keeping his competitive focus.
“A father will always pray for his son to be bigger than him. That’s a good father,” he added.
“Imama may not like this, but that is the truth.”
READ MORE:arokodare-continues-his-love-affair-with-london-clubs
Despite the emotional undertone, Ilechukwu made clear that sentiment will not override ambition on matchday.
“We have all it takes to win tomorrow because he is my father. I walked under him and he is so humble,” he said.
Last season Coach Imama Amapakabo helped Abia Warriors to the club’s first ever continental place.Photo Credit: Warriors/X
“Facing him tomorrow, if not for football, I don’t think I have the capacity to face him. But because of everything he taught me, it happens that tomorrow I will do it against him.”
He concluded: “There’s nothing he can do about it.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Kick-off is 4:00pm, with both sides knowing that victory in Aba could have a decisive impact on the NPFL title race as the season approaches its final stretch.
