Rangers end winless run with 'Oriental derby' victory

Seven-time Nigerian league champions, Enugu Rangers International F.C put behind it a very challenging start to the new Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season that saw it recording two losses on a bounce to overcome oriental rivals, Heartland 1-0 in the second ‘Oriental Derby’ of the season inside a packed Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri on Sunday.

Fleet footed Bright Silas was the hero of the day racing onto an inch perfect dead ball released by left-back, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, on 10 minutes to find the bottom corner of the goal post guarded by Ebele Obi to send the travelling fans and bench of the visitors into wild jubilations.

The match started on a fast note with the host dictating the pace of the game with Lucky Emeriojake, Okoro Ndukwe, John Chukwudi and pint-sized, Fuad Ekelejuoti causing the Rangers backline a lot of troubles but the Okey Odita led defence line soaked in the early raids.

Rangers made an early substitution as Semiu Liadi, making his third start for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ made way for Shedrack Francis, who was starting from the bench for the first time since the start of the season on 20 minutes due to an injury.

Heartland was handed a life line on the stroke of half time when the referee spotted a hand ball incidence in Rangers’ box and awarded a penalty kick to the host but Lucky Emeriojake hit his well taken shot on the cross bar to the disappointment of the home fans and relief for the visitors.

In the second half, Heartland players surged forward in search of a leveller but met stiff resistance from the visitors who choked the middle of the pack with Godwin Aguda covering every blade of grass of the balding pitch even with a bandaged head to deny the host a sniff at goal to pick a much needed win for the coach Olugbenga Ogunbote’ wards.

It was the first goal and defeat to be conceded by the ‘Naze Millionaires’ in the new season and the second defeat to be suffered in the hands of Rangers in Owerri in three seasons.

Coach Ogunbote said after the hard fought victory, “It was really good result that we have been working at achiving since the start of the season. After two losses in a row, we were really under pressure and a third loss would have sent the pressure higher than we could have managed hence our resolve to come all out in today’ game. Thank God we scored and was able to defend well. This is the start of an unbroken winning streak.”

His counterpart, Ransom Madu who was shot of ward said, “It is very sad to lose after dominating a game. Rangers had a chance and took it while we failed to convert the numerous chances we created including a penalty kick.”

Rangers next play Katsina United in Enugu mid-week while Heartland take a short trip to Omoku for a date with fellow new comers to the top flight, Go-Round F.C.

HEARTLAND: Ebele Obi, Onyebuchi Onyechefua, Oparaugo Chukwudi, Julius Ubido, Kenneth Ikwugbado, Jimoh Ismail, Fuad Ekelojuoti, John Chukwudi (Francis Momoh -48^th mins.), Nnamdi Egbujor, Okoro Ndukwe (Afeez Mohammed – 62^nd mins.), Lucky Emeriojake.

UNUSED SUBS: Japhet Utobo, Kingsley Anunobi, Odere Onyiri, Uche Odeh, Kingsley Salami.

CAUTION: Julius Ubido -28^th minutes.

RANGERS: Femi Thomas, Brownbraye Okpus, Ugwu Uwadiegwu, Christian Madu, Okey Odita, Semiu Liadi (Shedrack Francis – 20^th mins.), Bright Silas, Ifabiyi Tayo, Ifeanyi George (Abu Azeez – 60^th mins.), Chiamaka Madu (Adun Osamudiamwen -89^th mins.), Godwin Aguda.

UNUSED SUBS: Seidu Mutawakilu, Ajani Ibrahim, Richard Jonathan, Ebuka Okeke.

CAUTIONS: Brownbraye Okpus – 50^th minute, Femi Thomas -80^th minute.

GOAL: Bright Silas – 10^th minute.

REFEREE: Thomas Nwite – Abia.