Rangers International captain Chidiebere Nwobodo scored a stunning late equaliser to rescue a point (2-2) against Barau FC in a dramatic Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 8 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Nwobodo curled home from outside the penalty area at the death to stun the home supporters, some of whom had already started leaving the stadium, after two controversial second-half penalties had put Barau in front.
Barau threatened early, with Atule failing to capitalise on a defensive lapse inside the opening eight minutes. The forward raced through on goal but could not beat Rangers goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh in a one-on-one situation.
Atule remained a constant threat, setting up Barau’s number 13 for an effort that was saved before forcing Jimoh into a stunning close-range stop. The forward later latched onto a long ball during a quick counterattack but ballooned his effort over the crossbar.
While Barau looked to exploit Rangers on the break, the visitors attempted to control the tempo. Their first meaningful opportunity came through an Oputa free-kick, which the Barau goalkeeper pushed behind for a corner. The resulting delivery fell back to Oputa, whose follow-up effort was deflected.
After the water break, Chinemerem Anthony produced a dangerous darting run into the penalty area but failed to get a shot away before goalkeeper Chiom Chia gathered the ball.
Rangers eventually took the lead through an excellent passage of combination play involving Chinemerem and Abolade Akorode. The ball fell to Okechukwu Ifeanyi, who finished ruthlessly to put the visitors ahead in the first half.
Ifeanyi threatened again after meeting a long ball from Chidozie Iwundu. He dribbled past Nura Ibrahim and Orji Kalu before Bura brought him down inside the penalty area. However, the referee waved away Rangers’ appeals for a penalty, a decision that would become a major talking point.
Barau pushed for an equaliser before the interval. In the 44th minute, Sunday Anthony unleashed a stunning curling effort that Jimoh pushed behind for a corner.
Suur Kumaga’s free-kick in the 45+2 minute went straight into Jimoh’s hands, before the Rangers goalkeeper produced another superb save in a frantic end to the half, denying Barau after striker Stanley Oganbor flicked a corner towards goal.
Barau resumed the second half on the front foot, with Atule testing Jimoh from inside the box. The Rangers goalkeeper was well positioned to make the save.
Sugau Aliyu then sent a dangerous cross flashing across the face of goal without a teammate arriving to apply the finishing touch, before Ahmadu Liman volleyed wide as the hosts continued to search for an equaliser.
Rangers nearly doubled their advantage when Akorode worked his way into the penalty area, but Chia produced an excellent save. The rebound presented another opportunity, although no Rangers player was available to finish.
The game took a controversial turn when referee Bashiru awarded Barau a penalty following a collision between their forward and Jimoh during a one-on-one situation. Rangers players were left aggrieved by the decision.
Atule stepped up and converted to bring Barau level.
The controversy deepened when Bashiru awarded the hosts a second penalty for handball. Sugau Aliyu converted from the spot to put Barau ahead, leaving Rangers with a mountain to climb.
But the visitors refused to surrender.
Substitute Igwe Pius tried his luck with a powerful long-range effort but sent it over the crossbar. Precious Agu then missed a golden opportunity to equalise after Philip Clement’s cross was left uncleared inside the box, blazing his effort over.
Just when it appeared Barau had secured all three points, Rangers captain Nwobodo produced a moment of brilliance at the death, curling a superb effort from outside the penalty area into the net to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
The strike stunned the Kano crowd, with some home supporters already heading for the exits, and showed Rangers’ never-say-die spirit.
