Heartland surrender lead at Rangers to sink deeper into relegation

Heartland’s relegation woes worsened yesterday after they surrendered an early lead to lose 2-1 against Enugu Rangers at the Awka township stadium. The ‘Naze millionaires’ as Heartland are called drew the first blood in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 27 fixture in the 13th minute when Monday Yakubu capitalised on Philip Clement’s howler […]

Heartland’s relegation woes worsened yesterday after they surrendered an early lead to lose 2-1 against Enugu Rangers at the Awka township stadium.

The ‘Naze millionaires’ as Heartland are called drew the first blood in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 27 fixture in the 13th minute when Monday Yakubu capitalised on Philip Clement’s howler to give the visitors the lead.

Rangers fought back as they mounted pressure on the visitors but two clear chances that fell to Ossy Martins and Chidiebiere Nwobodo were wasted.

However, Rangers got the much needed equaliser in the 22nd minute through the misfiring Martins after Nwobodo was denied at close range by Heartland’s goalkeeper Femi Thomas.

Thereafter, it was constant battle between Ossy Martins and goalkeeper Thomas who continued to thwart the efforts of the former.

Shedrack Asiegbu then capitalised on a defensive mix-up by the visitors to put Rangers ahead in the 40th minute.

On resumption, the visitors who are faced with relegation fought hard to get at least a point from the ‘Oriental derby’ but it was Eso Archibong who sealed the maximum points for Rangers with the third goal in the second minute of four minutes added time.

In Okigwe, Abia Warriors ensured they kept their survival hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Remo Stars who dropped to fourth on the table.

Two second half goals by Yakub Hammed and Valentine Odoh in the 61st and 80th minute ensured the home side annexed the maximum points.