Rangers International coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has reiterated his ambition to lead the Flying Antelopes back to the continental stage following their narrow 1-0 victory over Bendel Insurance in the Round of 16 of the 2025 President Federation Cup. Godwin Obaje’s first half penalty at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos proved enough to seal Rangers’ spot in the quarterfinals, where they are set to face Plateau United.
Ilechukwu, known as the “Working One,” acknowledged that the NPFL title may be out of reach this season with Remo Stars currently leading, but highlighted that the Federation Cup offers a realistic path to qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup.
He maintained confidence in his squad’s quality, stating, “We’ve got the character, the capacity, the mentality, and we’ve also got the record.” However, he cautioned that no team should assume victory in the competition is guaranteed, acknowledging the increasing competitiveness of the domestic cup.
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Rangers are also still mathematically in the race for continental qualification via the league, needing to win their final five matches and hope for favourable results elsewhere.
Editorial
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu speaks with the tone of a man who knows time is short but opportunities still exist. In a season where the league title is slipping out of reach, the Federation Cup has become Rangers’ golden ticket back to Africa’s biggest football nights and their coach is determined not to let it go to waste.
The win over Bendel Insurance was scrappy, hard-fought, and, above all, necessary. In these knockout games, performance often plays second fiddle to result. Obaje delivered the goal, the defence held firm, and now the dream lives on.
What stands out about Ilechukwu’s approach is his honesty. He’s not sugarcoating the reality that Remo Stars are storming to the title, and Rangers must look elsewhere. But that’s what top managers do: recalibrate, refocus, and reload. And his belief in his players, despite injury setbacks, is exactly the fuel they need as the business end of the season arrives.
The Federation Cup is no longer a fallback it’s a frontline goal. And with Ilechukwu’s tactical know-how and Rangers’ pedigree, don’t bet against them just yet.
Did You Know?
- Rangers International last featured in continental competition during the 2019/20 CAF Confederation Cup.
- Fidelis Ilechukwu previously led MFM FC to their first-ever CAF Champions League qualification in 2017.
- Godwin Obaje, scorer against Bendel Insurance, won the NPFL Golden Boot in 2016 with 18 goals for Wikki Tourists.
- The President Federation Cup winner qualifies for the CAF Confederation Cup if they don’t also secure a Champions League spot via the league.
- Rangers have won the Federation Cup five times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2018.
