Heartland FC pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season with a stunning 2-0 away victory over fierce rivals Rangers International FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

 

In what was expected to be a routine home fixture for Rangers, the “Naze Millionaires” had other ideas, executing their game plan to perfection to claim all three points in the Match Day 33 Oriental Derby.

 

Surajudeen Lawal opened the scoring in the 20th minute, pouncing on a defensive lapse to give the visitors the lead. Just three minutes into the second half, Isaac Nassy doubled Heartland’s advantage with a composed finish, silencing the home crowd and leaving Rangers shell-shocked.

 

Despite pre-match changes by Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, including a reshuffled starting XI from their previous goalless draw with Bendel Insurance, the hosts never found their rhythm. Even after a triple substitution early in the second half, Rangers remained second best throughout.

 

Heartland, under the guidance of coach Emmanuel Amuneke, were resolute defensively and clinical on the counter. Goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga stood firm, especially in the 80th minute when he denied Godwin Obaje from close range to preserve a clean sheet.

 

Speaking after the game, Rangers’ assistant coach Ekeh Ekenedilichukwu, standing in for Ilechukwu, admitted the team underperformed.

 

“It was really a bad day in the office for us, and we’ve taken it in stride. Now our focus shifts to the Federation Cup game against Bendel Insurance, where we hope to bounce back.”

 

The defeat sees Rangers drop to 8th place on the NPFL log with 46 points, while Heartland climb to 16th with 41 points, keeping their survival hopes alive.

 

The result also hands Heartland both a crucial win and bragging rights in one of Nigerian football’s fiercest regional rivalries—a derby that will be talked about for weeks to come.