Rangers, Rivers United Others Battle At Pre- Season Tourney In Enugu

SUNDAY AKINTOYE

Enugu Rangers and Rivers United are among the top premier clubs that would take part in Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament scheduled to commence from 14 through 20, November at Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu.

The tournament is sponsored by the former Super Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ekwueme in conjunction with famous Polish and Danish sportswear manufacturing firm Tico/Select.

Other clubs that showed interest in the pre-season are Heartland, Kwara United, Abia Warriors, and Plateau United.

Others are second-tier Nigerian league club, Apex Cranes FC of Agbor and reigning Nigeria Cup title holders, Bayelsa United, among others.

Ekwueme said the pre-season was organized to prepare Nigerian club sides ahead new season saying that all the participating teams

would play good football to entertain Enugu football fans.

“Yes, it’s the biggest pre-season tournament in Nigeria today and as such we are not leaving anything to chance to ensure that we maintain the standard we have set.

“The feedback from all the participating clubs and members of the organizing committee is extremely positive and we are looking forward to another exciting outing,” said Ekwueme who is the brand ambassador and sole representative of Tico/Select in Africa.

The ex Polonia Warsaw midfield trojan further stated that the aim of the upcoming pre-season tagged “Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select NPFL 2021 Preseason Tournament” was to help improve the quality of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“This tournament is aimed at providing a platform for the clubs to knock their teams into shape ahead of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. This is part of our plans to help and prepare some of the teams for the usual tough challenges of the NPFL and it is our belief that this will definitely rub off on their performances by the time the new season starts.”

It would be recalled that the Rangers defeated Rivers United 2-0 to win the 2nd edition of the tournament.