Rangers International of Enugu will be opening the new season with a cracker against Akwa United, and the Manager has hailed the fixture as “Fantastic”.

Davison Owumi, General Manager of Rangers International FC of Enugu has expressed satisfaction with the club’s first match of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) against Akwa United FC.

Owumi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that the draw was a “fantastic one’’.

“This is a great draw. We are confident of doing well when the season starts. I am very optimistic about Rangers gaining a ticket to feature on the continent once again,” he said.

He said that Rangers would do everything within their power to start the league on a good note with a favourable result in the away match against Akwa United.

“Our Match Day 2 is against Lobi Stars of Makurdi in Enugu; the Match Day 3 is an oriental derby against league returnee, Heartland FC in Owerri and it will be a match to watch.

“Match Day 4 will be against Katsina United, while for Match Day 5, Rangers will host Rivers United of Port Harcourt.

“In all these matches mentioned above, Rangers will not go for anything less than the three points at stake.

“Rangers’ continental hope depends on starting the league well and that must be the first match in the league and we will definitely go for the points with determination,” Owumi said.

He further said that the club was getting to shape ahead of the new season, noting that a continental berth in the coming season was not negotiable.

The 2017/2018 NPFL will start on Jan. 14, 2018 with defending champions, Plateau United tackling Nasarawa United in their first match.