There is growing concern and uncertainty among former Enugu Rangers players that the land promises by the Enugu State government after winning the Nigeria Professional Football League and AIETO/Federation Cup titles in 2016 and 2018 respectively would not come to fruition.
It would be recalled that, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout on December 19th, 2016, announced that the players, technical crew and backroom staff would be rewarded with a whooping sum of N41.5m, and a plot of land each at the Rangers Estate, along Enugu-Portharcourt express road, Enugu.
But about six years after, the players and their officials are yet to receive the plots of land although they have gotten the monetary gifts while the core of the team including title-winning coach Imama Amakapabo, are no longer with the former NPFL champion.
According to the report, the players planned to embark on a protest on thursday in fulfilment of the promises made to the team but called off the demonstration as they were invited to the state government house on Wednesday.
Speaking in phone chat with former Warri Wolves midfielder, Kelvin Itoya who was among the players that honoured the invitation, he explained that as footballers they are not pensioners or pensionable rather they preferred to be rewarded financially after winning any competition, adding that the state government acknowledges it’s promise but requesting for atleast two weeks to sort out certain issues.
Responding to how soon this promises would be met, Itoya who currently pitched his tent in the just concluded 2021/22 NPFL season with Heartland Football Club (Owerri) further reaffirmed that the governor promised to honour his word, adding that every player that won both or each of the title would be captured in the plan.
Meanwhile about 13 players from the 2016 and 2018 title winning team honoured the invitation from the state government and they include Chidiebere Okolie, Osas Okoro, Dada Bitrus, Chibuzo Madu, Kelvin Itoya, Ugonna Anyaora and Head Coach,Tony Bolus amongst others.
However, Enugu Rangers would on Sunday, 31st July trade tackle with ABJ (Bauchi) at the ongoing AIETO/Federation Cup fixture in the round of 64 at the Goal Project Pitch, Abuja by 4p.m.
