By CHIMEZIE ANASO

Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu on Saturday beat Heartland FC of Owerri 3-1 in their Match Day 27 home game at the Awka Township Stadium.

Heartland opened scoring through Yakubu Monday in the 13th minute while Rangers responded two times via Ossy Martins and Shedrack Asiegbu in the 22nd and 40th minutes to end the first half with 2-1 advantage.

Oba Archibong of Rangers tucked in the third goal in the injury time to seal the victory over the Naze Millionaires.

In a post-match interview, Erasmus Onu, coach of Heartland bemoaned the result of the match, saying they lost to a more experienced side.

Onu said his boys did well with good possession of the ball but could not convert their chances, noting that the loss had put more pressure on the team in their battle against relegation.

On his part, Abdul Maikaba, coach of Rangers said he was satisfied with the result of the game.

Maikaba said their target to be in Continental game had gotten a boost and that they would work to sustain the winning streak in their subsequent games.

Rangers Int’l FC are third in the NPFL table with 45 points from 27 games, 12 wins, nine losses while Heartland FC are in the 18th position with 28 points from 27 matches, seven wins, seven draws and 13 points.

Some football fans who thronged the Awka stadium to support of Heartland, expressed disappointment over their performance.

Godwin Orji said the morale in the team was low and was impacting on players’ performance.

Orji wondered a team of Heartland FC pedigree would not have a branded team bus and why they used sports council vehicle for movement.

“I have been following Heartland for years; when I heard they were coming to Awka I was happy and came to cheer them up but I am disappointed with what I saw today.

“How can my darling team not have a bus, now they are at the risk of relegation; the other day they were sacked from hotel, it is a serious problem because no team operating under that condition can do well.

“I call on Gov. Hope Uzodimma to save this club by supporting them like other state-owned clubs; he should take a look at the management and overhaul,” he said. (NAN)

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