Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 7y

Enugu Rangers bounce back to defeat Gombe United

Two goals in stoppage time at the end of both halves helped Enugu Rangers secure a vital home win against Gombe United as they completed a nervy fight back against the 10-men visitors.

Home boy Ebuka Okeke netted a beautiful solo goal four minutes into additional time to complete the comeback for the resurgent Flying Antelopes, who move into 14th place, while Gombe dropped into the relegation zone, two spots above the foot of the table.

Prior to kickoff, United had lost 10 of their last 12 away games, but all that looked set to change when powerful forward Abdulwaheed Afolabi scored on the half volley to give the visiting team the lead after 11 minutes.

Daniel Etor should have drawn Rangers level just after the half hour mark but he sent his curling effort wide after fashioning space for himself.

Persistence eventually paid off for the home team, as Osas Okoro swung in a free kick which was headed home by Godwin Aguda to draw Rangers level with virtually the last kick of first-half stoppage time.

Things took a dramatic turn in the 69th minute when Austine Oladapo was shown a straight red card for serious foul play, his second sending off of the season.

The dismissal of the big striker meant Gombe lacked adequate firepower upfront, thus giving Rangers the momentum to pile pressure on their defence.

Ifeanyi George almost capped his day with a goal, heading Okeke's corner kick just inches over the bar with five minutes on the clock, to the frustration of the home support.

Aguda made a mess of his header in stoppage time when he missed a big chance to be the hero of the day.

The last piece of action produced the winner, as Omo Johnson picked out Okeke with a pass. The attacking midfielder went on a solo run, ghosting past the Gombe United defenders before hitting the ball past Ahmed Yusuf into the back of the net.

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