The Coal City ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C will kick start its quest for another positive outing in the oldest club football competition in the country now re-christened, President Federation Cup, with a tough fixture against Kano Pillars F.C in the round of 64 of the competition.

The encounter which will take place at the Bwari Township Stadium, Abuja, is the only fixture that will feature two top premiership sides in this round of the competition which will be a repeat of the 2018 finals in Asaba where the Enugu side came from three goals down to equalize and won the trophy on penalty kicks.

In the recent past, just last season, the six-time national champions stopped the Kano side 2-0 in the round of 32 at the FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja with the current Pillars gaffer, Abdul Maikaba leading the Enugu side.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu who led Plateau United to a semi-final loss in the hands of coach Maikaba in Ijebu-Ode last season is poised to guide his new side, Rangers, past Kano Pillars who are now under the tutelage of coach Maikaba and he said that he is positive going into the encounter.

 “We go into every match with a positive mindset and tomorrow’s match against Kano Pillars will not be different. We respect every team and approach all matches with zeal and determination. Yes, we may have an edge over them in the league this season but the Federation Cup is a different kettle of fish and we hope to up our game to earn a positive result,” stated the young tactician.

According to the fixtures released by the NFF, the encounter will kick off by 16:00 hours with Rangers expected to extend their form in the league that has seen them occupy the prime position in the twenty-team log for over four weeks.