Christian Chukwu has captained and coached Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Rangers International. Now the Technical Director of Rangers International FC, Chukwu is a competent source in Rangers’ affairs. He spoke with Tribunesports OLAWALE OLANIYAN on how successful the journey has been.
What brightened Rangers’ chances to eventually win the Nigeria Professional football League title this term?
You know it was quite a long time Rangers last won the league, 32 years precisely and we worked hard to make it possible to break that jinx and now Rangers are back again. Those days, it used to be Rangers, Shooting Stars, Calabar Rovers, Bendel Insurance, Raccah Rovers and the like. So it is a good thing to see Rangers back. For now, we need not over-celebrate but fortify for continental duty
Rangers Football Club is in my system, I played for and led the team at present, I still have a big responsibility to the team as the technical director. We really have a good team now, and more importantly, the support of the Enugu State government, we indeed got every motivation to win the league and make our supporters happy.
Did anything change with Rangers who in recent years flopped in title run-ins?
Like I said, there was unity of purpose, all hands were on deck. The difference is very clear and this time, the attitude is unique from the governor to the management to the sports commissioner and to every other person who has a role to play. When I said a solid team, I didn’t mean the football squad alone. I mean the team of stakeholders. Everybody knew we have a lot to gain at the end of the day. We are glad Rangers are now crowned. We are known as Rangers International and that is why we have to live up to standard.
Having played in and managed clubsides in the Nigerian league, what can you say about the current Nigeria Professional Football League as run by the League Management Company?
In all honesty, the league improved this year more than the previous years, we have a better league this season and you can see that a team can go to away grounds and win their games. Home teams do not even have to take victory for granted as more than a couple of them have lost at home. I believe everything is moving on well but we still need to improve, we must aim to do it as it is done, it may take us some time but if we want to enjoy the league, we must never stop until we get there. I am happy teams are injecting young blood into their system but the players should be taught on the need to show loyalty to clubs and learn the ropes before exchanging clubs. When a player moves from one club to the other just because of the lure of offers, he stands to lose a lot in terms of stability, experience and adaptability.
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