By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria’s second most successful club in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, Enugu Rangers on Friday thrashed hapless Heartland FC of Owerri 3-0 in matchday 7 of the 2021/2022 season, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

Playing at the Dan Ayiam Stadium Owerri, Heartland coming from the back of protests over unpaid salaries, were a shadow of their old self as Rangers inflicted on them a huge pain to compound their worries.

With the result, Rangers became the first club to defeat the Naze Millions by 3-0 scoreline since May 3, 2015 after Sunshine Stars had same scoreline.

Julius Ikechukwu, Christian Nnaji and Shedrack Asiegbu were the hatchers for the Flying Antelopes.

Julius Ikechukwu put Rangers in front in the 26th minute after being teed up by Chidiebere Nwobodo who came off the bench just 3 minutes earlier.

Nwobodo replaced Super Eagles winger and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON winner Ejike Uzoenyi who was injured in the 23rd minute of the match.

Heartland responded in the 39th minute and almost got an equaliser when Ikenna Stephen’s expertly struck free kick from 30 yards came off the crossbar with goalkeeper Bamidele beaten.

The first half ended with Rangers in control and they consolidated their hold in the 55th minute as Christian Nnaji fired home to give Rangers a two-goal cushion after skinning his marker Ikenna Stephen.

Heartland’s day was made worse when Jimoh Gbadamosi received a second yellow card for ball handling in an attempt to score by all means in the 61st minute

Rangers made their numerical strength count as Shedrack Asiegbu who came on 9 minutes earlier finished off a sweeping counter-attacking move to give Rangers a comfortable lead on the dot of 84th minute

It is the second win the Flying Antelopes are recording in the lead after their opening day 2-1 win against Katsina United.

The result returns Rangers to 3rd place with 14 points from 7 matches.