Enugu Rangers are at the first position of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after defeating struggling Heartland FC of Owerri on Sunday at the Awka City Stadium.
ANN reports that Rangers also known as the flying antelope got an early lead in the third minutes through a superb freekick from Kazim Ogunleye while leftback Kenneth Igboke re-bounced the panelty missed by Godwin Obaje at the fifty-third minutes to seal the win.
Ogunleye, a dead ball specialist has played six games this season, scoring three goals with two assist.
The Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side has thirteen point after seven games played. Also on thirteen points are Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
Speaking with reporters after the game Heartland coach Christian Obi said his team lost because of some careless mistakes and bad officiating.
” In a football game, three things must happen. Either you win, lose or draw. We lost today because of some careless mistakes. The goal keeper was cut unawares which lead to us considing an early goal. We tried to equalize but the ball hit the woodwork twice.
Speaking on the officiating, Heartland coach said the referee gave two penalties against them and that it is unfortunate
“Nigeria referees need to put their house in order, if they want to be recognized outside the country”. Coach Obi said
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of Enugu Rangers in an interview said it was a good game and that its good that his team did not consid any goal.
” It was a good game. We will keep working hard, moving forward and focus on our challenges and improve on them”. Ilechukwu said
Before the commencement of the game, their was a one minute silent for former Rangers players who lost their lives in a crash years back.
The names of the falling heroes are; Godwin Achebe, Ernest Ufele, Aloysious Ikem Atuegbu aka blockbuster, Totty Okoro Totty, Henry Obiekwu, Nwabueze Nwankwo aka bulldozer, Kenneth Ilodigwe a,k,a Onye Egwu, Kelechi Emetole aka Caterpillar, Shedrack Ajaero, Stephen Okechukwu, Bamidele Ezugha aka Agarimojo and Sam Okoye and Ifeanyi George Onwubiko
Others are Eghomwanre ‘Omale’ Aimanmwosa,
Uche Ikeogu, Uche Onyeka Atura, Anatoronye Anas, Captain Amaechi; the co-pilot, Captain Chinedu Ogbonna and an air steward, Obiageli Ezeh, Andrew Nwodu and Mike Onyemechara
Other results from the NPFL matchday seven are; Gombe United 0 – Doma 3. United shooting stars 4 – Niger Tornadors 1. Bendel Insurence 1 – Remo Stars 0. Rivers United 1 – Sunshine Stars 1. Enyimba 1 – Kwara United 0. Akwa United 0 – Plateau United 0. Abia Warriors 2 – Kastina United 1.
ANN gathered that the flying antelope will be playing Sunshine Stars ‘away’ on the 12th of November after which they will host Katsina United on the 19th in Awka.
