…it’ll boast financial standing, win trophy – GM
By Chinedu Adonu
The management of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, the Flying Antelopes, Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with a fashion and apparel designing company, Nzapi.
Nzapi, through the agreement and partnership will rebrand T.Shirts, Face Caps and sports wears being Rangers insignia.
The aim of the agreement is strengthen the club’s financial base as well as give the club the international and local identity that it deserves as a home base football club that has stood the test of time since 1970.
Speaking with sports writers before the official signing of the deal, Rangers General Manager, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, said that the agreements went beyond signing ceremony but a statement of intent.
“Today for us is more than a signing ceremony. It is a statement of intent. We are proud to officially enter into a strategic partnership with Nzapi, a fashion and apparel design manufacturing company that understands not just fashion but culture, identity and story telling.
“For a club like Rangers, identity is everything. We are not just a football club, we have a history, pride resilience and a symbol that cuts across generations that was established in 1970.
“This partnership is rooted in a simple but powerful idea. Rangers must look for who we are and where we are going. With Nzapi, we are committed to a merchandise that speaks to the younger generation to see Rangers, not only on the pitch but a life style brand and then, the older generations who carry the memory of legacy of this great club and the merchandise going forward will not be worn, it will be felt.
“It will tell stories of tradition, excellence and modern vision of the current Rangers.
This partnership is also a strong business decision. Merchandising is a key pillar of financial sustainability in modern football and our vision is clear to professionalise Rangers merchandise production which I continue to say is the first thing his Excellency continued to say to me during our first meeting sometime in 2023 and of course expand availability locally and internationally.”
Ezeaku went further to explain that it is their intention to “create a product that fans are proud to own, wear and pass on. So, we are deliberately building Rangers into a self-sustaining institution where football success is supported by a strong commercial foundation like Nzapi.
“So, looking ahead, this agreement is only a beginning. Out future plans include structured merchandise launching tied to key moments in the clubs journey. And we have conversations to that and Nzapi is very committed to it, a collaboration that lends sports, culture and creativity.
“A deeper engagement with our fan base especially the youths. And a long term vision where Rangers merchandise becomes instantly recognisable anywhere in the world,” he stated.
He therefore expressed that Nzapi is partnering with them to move Rangers forward, financially and identity wise.
“And from us to Nzapi, we say thank you for believing in this vision and for believing in us. This is not just a supplier relationship, it is a partnership that is built on a shared values and long term ambition and of course, for our fans whom we will see on Wednesday. We say that this partnership is for you, it is for your pride, it is for your identity, it is for your connection to Rangers and to Rangers movement. We shall continue to build on the pitch, we’ll also continue to built off the pitch with productions that are strategic, production that are sustainable, production that are bold with what we have with Nzapi. Today we sign an agreement, tomorrow, we build a future,” he said.
Explaining further, the Rangers boss said that the rebranding of Rangers identity will galvanise Rangers to perform optimally and probably lift NPFL trophy, a feat they achieved in 2018.
Also speaking, the Nzapi Creative Lead, Odinaka Ugwuozor, said that Rangers was a brand name that ought to be promoted, having made the South East proud since 1970.
“For a brand like Rangers that wears the prestige of Ndigbo need to be projected. We are committed to staying with Rangers,” he said, pointing out that in no distant time Rangers brand would be known within and Internationally.
