Mutawakilu’s heroics saves day for Enugu Rangers

Ghanaian Goalkeeper Seidu Mutawakilu proved to be the hero for 15th-placed Enugu Rangers, making a string of impressive saves in the second half, to deny Wikki Tourists a win, which would have seen them move above 13th-place.

Wikki Tourists and Rangers shared the spoils in Bauchi on Sunday, in an ill-tempered game which saw the home fans losing their cool.

Bright Silas handed the about-to-be dethroned champions a shocking away lead against the run of play in the 15th minute. Chinedu Onyelonu pulled Wikki level via his deflected effort.

Wikki Tourists dominated the game from beginning to finish, however they failed to transform that into goals to the frustration of the home fans who were anxiously hoping their team avoid relegation.

Rangers winger Bright Silas put the visitors in front in the 15th minute after his deflected shot beat Wikki goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu.

Rangy forward Chinedu Onyelonu levelled for Wikki in the 31st minute. And all efforts by the home team to maintain their 100 per cent home record since Bala Nikyu took over helms of affairs were thwarted by the heroic goalkeeping of Mutawakilu.

Immediately Wikki Tourists got the match underway, they almost took the lead after 40 seconds when a build-up ended with Idris Guda failing to convert.

Wikki should have equalized four minutes later but were denied when Mutawakilu jumped high to parry Ahmed Mohammed’s effort.

However the home side levelled in the 31st minute when their pressure resulted in a corner and from the corner a goalmouth scramble ensured Onyelonu’s deflected brought the score to 1-1.

The result means Wikki drop to 13th position from 11th with 44 points while Rangers are in 15th place on the log with 43 points.