Fidelis Ilechukwu, Rangers International head coach, has exclusively told Completesports.com that the Coal City Flying Antelopes are looking to sign two strikers to be fully prepared for the defence of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title as well as their 11th CAF Champions League campaign.
The 48-year-old Ilechukwu, who is affectionately called ‘The Working One’, spoke on the sidelines of Rangers’ 1-0 win over Warri Wolves on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, in a pre-season friendly.
The two sides fielded almost entirely new sets of players, many of whom are understood to be on trial, and they produced an entertaining contest with impressive performances.
Ilechukwu Wants Two More Strikers Before New Season
“This is our first major pre-season match and I must confess that it wasn’t entirely a bad one,” Ilechukwu began.
“The players are predominantly new and we’re trying to get them into shape, which is the reason for this friendly match. And I can say it’s worth it.
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“However, I won’t say we’re fully ready for the season. Neither can I say we’re too far behind. I think we still need to strengthen the team with, say, two strikers before we can say, yes, we’re ready for the new season, which you said is about a month away.”
Ilechukwu has had managerial spells 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 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 queried about his title-winning achievements.
“That’s what one is hired to do. As a coach, you look forward to succeeding through hard work and support from the club’s management as well as the state government” Ilechukwu told Completesports.com.
“I must confess it has been wonderful, the kind of support we get from the Rangers management under Barrister Amobi Ezeaku as General Manager. We’ll keep working, hoping to do better with every attempt.”
Also Read: NPFL: Rangers Players And Officials Earn ₦150m Cash, Land Reward For 2025/26 NPFL Title Win
Ilechukwu was handed a contract extension by the Rangers hierarchy after winning two NPFL titles during the first three years of his initial deal. He admitted that the saying, ‘the reward for hard work is more work’, remains true.
“Yes, that’s true. And I can also add that to whom much is given, much should be expected. We’ll keep working and see where we get to 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 Kaloum Stars of Guinea after a goalless first leg in Conakry and a 2-1 defeat in the return leg in Lagos.
Rangers Focused on Breaking Preliminary Round Jinx
Asked about the weight of expectations ahead of the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League campaign, Ilechukwu said the immediate priority is to overcome the preliminary rounds and reach the group stage.
“If you check, in the recent past, it has been difficult getting past the preliminary rounds. First preliminary game, then the second, and things go awkward. Let’s bury that ghost first and then see how it goes from the group stage,” Ilechukwu posited.
