The Naze Millionaires started the year 2020 on a positive note with a hard fought victory over their oriental rivals Rangers International at the Okigwe Township Stadium.
A pulsating encounter was served hot with every ingredient of a derby game for fans and neutrals alike. Rangers had former Heartland players in Tope Olusesi, Nwokeji Emmanuel, Nnamdi Egbujor, and the ageless Osas Okoro ready to hurt Heartland while Mbwas Mangut was on the bench to assist Salisu Yusuf.
The visitors were very domineering in the first period creating chances but Ikechukwu Ezenwa proved his mettle time and time again making three breathtaking saves that kept Heartland in the game. There were a few half chances for Heartland but Pyagbara and Yemi fluffed their lines.
Just before the end of the first period, Heartland had an August Visitor in January in the person of the former Governor of IMO State Chief Sir Ikedi Ohakim (Ochinanwata) who turned up in style to cheer Heartland to victory.
During the interval, he was led to the locker room by the Chairman of the Club Chief Barr Charles Ezekwem. Chief Ohakim in few words inspired the lads to go all out in the second half, insisting that victory will be the commensurate new year gift to the Club’s fans and supporters.
Two minutes after the restart, the visitors struck through Traore Isif.
Heartland failed to clear their lines from a corner kick. The goal silenced the Okigwe Stadium but the lads carried on as if nothing happened. Minutes later, a sumptuous pass from Pyagbara found Abiodun Thompson who turned his marker inside out before ghosting past the goal keeper who was sprawling on the floor clutching the wind ,as Abiodun tapped in with aplomb to the delight of the fans.
Ilechukwu quickly rang some Changes, bringing on Sadiq Abubakar for Pyagbara, Onyekwere for Abel and then Nnoshiri for Nnamani. The substitution were spot on, as it strengthened the team and turned the heat on Rangers. Sadiq was a constant threat and his combination with Nnoshiri resulted in the second goal which broke the spine of Rangers.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa surely was the stand out performer with many world class saves that kept Heartland in the game.
Coach Salisu Yusuf Congratulated Heartland on the victory but rued his side’s chances especially in the first period.
Ilechukwu was excited at the result but was honest to admit that there were lapses in the team, owing to the injection of new players in the team, most of whom just had two training sessions before the game . He described his team as a work in progress .
Basking in the euphoria of the victory, members of the Supporters Club sang and danced to the dressing room eulogising the players for a spirited performance but shortly after that on their way back to Owerri had a fatal road crash around Amaraku but thankfully no life was lost. As at the time of this report five individuals were at the hospital receiving treatment for various degree of injuries.
Hon Godson Onyemaobi a member of the Board visited the injured supporters to commiserate with them at the hospital late in the Evening and promised the support of the Board and management as regards their treatment .
Heartland will next confront Warri Wolves for her match day 13 encounter
