Match Report: Antelopes fly past bottom-placed Millionaires in Oriental derby
AWKA (Made In Africa Report) – Rangers International secured a 2-0 victory over struggling Heartland FC in Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on matchday seven at the Awka City Stadium.
The win came through a goal in each half from Kazeem Ogunleye and Kenneth Igboke.
Efforts from Opara Chijioke and Johnson Umah were denied by the woodwork, ensuring Rangers’ victory with two goals and a clean sheet.
How it happened
Kazeem Ogunleye delighted home fans with a curling goal in the second minute of the game and continued to threaten with more attempts, but his efforts failed to find the mark.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu made a first-half substitution, replacing Chidiebere Nwobodo with Leonard Ugochukwu.
However, Heartland FC came close to equalising when Johnson Umah’s free-kick hit the woodwork, denying them their first goal of the match.
Opara Chijioke almost provided a late first-half equaliser for the visitors, but his effort also struck the woodwork in the 45th minute.
The second half brought another goal for Rangers International as a penalty was awarded to the Flying Antelopes. Godwin Obaje missed from the spot, but Igboke was perfectly positioned to convert the rebound, securing Rangers’ second goal of the day.
Statistics
FULL-TIME STATISTICS
Rangers International 2-0 Heartland
A goal in each half from Kazeem Ogunleye and Kenneth Igboke was enough to take the Flying Antelopes back to the top of NPFL table while the Naze Millionaires remains bottom.#NPFLWithMIAS #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/yaMSvH6nQG
— Made In Africa Sport (@madeinafricaweb) November 5, 2023
Reactions
Kazeem Ogunleye, the standout player of the match, expressed his joy during the post-match conference. He highlighted his happiness at scoring in an Oriental Derby and achieving a clean sheet for the team.
“I’m very happy with the result because, in previous games, we’ve been conceding,” Ogunleye said. “I’m thrilled that we didn’t concede today, and we won with a clean sheet, our first of the season.”
Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu also expressed his satisfaction, emphasising the importance of not conceding goals and moving up the league table.
“I told the boys that we must play without conceding a goal so that we can rise in the table, and thank God, today we won the game.”
He mentioned his former team, Heartland, owing him money but focused on the victory, stating, “My former team that’s owning me 12 million, they denied it, and nobody is saying anything about it.”
“I’m so happy not because we beat Heartland; I’m happy because we are going to sit up on the table; that’s the most important thing. Life is all about working so hard and moving forward, we have to look at the area of our challenges and keep on working so that we get it right.” He said.
In his post-match reaction, Coach Christian Obi acknowledged the unexpected challenges faced by Heartland FC. He thanked God for the result and mentioned some of the team’s struggles during the match.
“I want to say that it’s a game of football. Three things are involved: ‘either you win, draw, or lose’. This evening we lost due to some careless mistakes,” Obi said.
“Firstly, the goalkeeper was caught unaware in the first minute, and that also spurred the team unfortunately. It was unfortunate for us as we couldn’t get the equaliser. The time we wanted to get the equaliser, two times we hit the bar, and the referee did his magic out there in the second goal, which was a penalty kick.” He concluded.
What’s next
Rangers International will travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars at the Akure Township Stadium on 12 November 2023.
Meanwhile, bottom-placed Heartland FC will host Bayelsa United in Owerri on 11 November 2023, as they continue their quest for their first NPFL victory of the season.
