Egbuchulam Chisom will look back at this season with an exhilarating reflection.
Considered a square peg in a round hole in Enugu Ranger’s drive to end a 32-year wait for the league title, Chisom’s rapid rise to the fore is a thrill never-lacking narrative.
There are bits and pieces of write-ups on the 24-year-old but none offers to chronicle in glowing detail how he sprang to the board.
The Flying Antelopes last clinched the Nigeria Professional Football League in 1984, the Nigerian FA Cup in 1983 with the Super Cup being the only gong to wine about in 2004.
The odds precariously leaned on Enugu in those moments until a windfall hit their path November 2008 when they became the first club side to become a public company selling ownership stock but the contract fell through a year later, plunging the club in debts.
Winning zero silverware the following six seasons merely brewed up trouble with pressure mounting on the board owing to the club’s apparent runs without trophies.
The Enugu State-based side, whose stadium hosted the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, were in dire need of a savior after escaping the jaws of relegation by four points the previous campaign. They would have their prayers answered but coming from the unlikeliest of sources. That savior became a certain Egbuchulam, initially deemed unfit to cement a place in Enugu Rangers’ line up.
But for coach’s Imama Ampakabo confidence, the forward boomed. A deadly bomb on his day in office, the architect who brought an end to the side’s 32-year wait for the Nigerian Professional Football League title. It however was no surprise when he credited his coach for the goal galore season he had at end of the championship.
A free-kick and penalty specialist with a blistering pace and an eye for goal, expect the former Disdevt FC to unlock the most usually unflappable of defenses. His biggest scoop came in March, grabbing the Nigerian League player of the Week including the NPFL and his club’s player of the month awards.
2014 league champions IfeanyiUbah FC came knocking slapping an enticing offer to tempt Egbuchulam but got ward off too quickly. Subtract his 16 goals, Rangers will undoubtedly come down sprawling. His only regret in an otherwise boisterous campaign might be losing the league golden boot to former AS Trencin now Wikki Tourists’ striker 19-year-old Godwin Obaje who finished on 18.
Rewarding the duo’s exploits, Obaje and Chisom were named replacements to injured Victor Moses and Isaac Success in Nigeria’s qualifier game against erstwhile African champions Zambia in October.
It’s also no wonder why Belgian Pro League side KKSV Lokeren are lurking around hoping to pip signature of the center forward.
When Rangers get to feature in the Orange Caf Champions League next year, Chisom will be the reason for the club coming this far.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Naijafootballplus.com
