Exclusive News
Seven-time Nigeria league champions and CAF/Confederation cup
2019/2020 cup hopefuls, Rangers International F.C, Wednesday, October
9, 2019, dug deep into its reserves to come up with a 1-0 victory over
visiting Heartland in a pre-season friendly encounter in Enugu.
Coach Benedict Ugwu lined up an attack minded squad on match day with
Pascal Seka, Dauda Madaki and Kehinde Adedipe pulling the strings but
met a very stiff resistance in the back line of the visitors led by
former ‘Flying Antelopes’, Chibuzor Madu.
Both sides did a good job in cancelling each other out in the three
departments of the game with Ugochukwu Okoye, Onoja, Sadiq and Chidi
pulling the strings for the visitors while Godspower Aniefiok, Dauda
Madaki and Tope Olusesi did well for the host.
Chances were far apart for the two oriental landlords as it took over
half an hour for a sniff at goal as Agbor Ekoi in goal for Heartland
did well to beat out Dauda’ effort on 35 minutes while Ugwu Uwadiegwu
watched as his well struck free kick narrowly missed target on 41
minutes.
With the game almost heading for a stalemate, coach Ugwu brought in
Christian Madu for Tony Shimaga with less than ten minutes to play and
he did not disappoint as his well struck shot from over thirty yards
sailed past Ekoi for the only goal of the encounter just two minutes
into the referee’ added five minutes to send the appreciative crowd
into wild celebrations.
Coach Ugwu said after the fixture, “Heartland gave us a very good game
today but we were determined to earn a win which came at the right
time. We continue our build up for the CAF Confederation cup match
against Togolese side, A.S.C Kara in the playoff round and by God’s
grace we shall earn the win that will take us into the group stage.”
