Hard luck caused our loss to Rangers Int'l FC - Heartland FC Coach

Posted : 06 November 2023

The Coach of Heartland Interested FC, Christian Obi, has attributed their 0-2 loss to table-toppers Rangers International FC to bad luck against his team.

Coach Christian Obi, in his assessment of the game, stated, "In the game of football, three outcomes are expected, and today we lost not for a lack of effort, but we were unlucky against our opponents, Rangers.

"We made some careless mistakes, especially in conceding the first goal, which jolted my boys into action, but we could not convert our chances when created, hitting the woodwork twice. It was an unfortunate loss," he said.

Recall that Rangers International FC maintained its dominance over neighbors, Heartland F.C, during the weekend, courtesy of a goal in each half of a highly entertaining Match Day 7, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture played in front of a massive crowd at the Awka City Stadium.

Coach Ilechukwu of Rangers stuck with the starting squad that narrowly lost to Lobi Stars, with the exceptions of Philip Clement and Kenechukwu Agu. Kazeem Ogunleye shot the 'Flying Antelopes' into an early lead with an unstoppable free kick from about 25 meters, to which the visiting side's goalkeeper, Chisom Chiaha, had no answer in the third minute.

Stunned as they were, the boys of the 'Naze Millionaires' side, under Coach Christian Obi, launched ceaseless attacks on the rear of Rangers, led by Samuel Stone, Patrick Nwaogbaga, and Chijioke Opara, but they encountered stiff resistance from the backline fielded by Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu.

While opportunities arose for the Enugu side to increase their tally through Isaac Saviour (43 minutes), Chukwudi Nwaodu (18 minutes), and Chidiebere Nwobodo (35 minutes), the visitors also created chances that could not be capitalized on. In particular, during a late first-half rally, one opportunity struck the upright and another hit the crossbar as the seven-time league champions went into the dressing room with the lead.

Upon resuming play, both sides elevated their performance, with the Owerri side pushing for an early equalizer. However, it was the hosts who extended their lead in the 57th minute when Kenneth Igboke reacted quickly to score after Chisom Chiaha's saved penalty kick, which was taken by Godwin Obaje following a handball incident that occurred after an earlier awarded penalty for a foul on a goal-bound Obaje had been blocked by the goalkeeper. Peters Afolayan used his hand to prevent the ball from going in.

Hard luck caused our loss to Rangers Int'l FC - Heartland FC Coach

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