Federation Cup: Ekene Ekeh hails Enugu Rangers’ hard-fought win over Heartland

By Wale Mustapha

Enugu Rangers’ Head Coach, Ekenedilichukwu Ekeh, admitted that his team had to work incredibly hard to secure a 5-3 penalty victory over Heartland FC in their Round of 32 clash at the President Federation Cup on Wednesday.

After a tense 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time, Rangers triumphed in the shootout to advance to the next stage of the competition at the Awka City Stadium.

Ekeh praised his players for their resilience in the face of a tough challenge from their eastern rivals, Heartland, and emphasized the team’s commitment to winning the competition.

“It was a tough match as expected, they (Heartland) gave us a good fight, but we gave our best to emerge victorious over our neighbors,” Ekeh said.

“Our target remains going as far as winning the trophy for the seventh time,” he added.

The Flying Antelopes will now face Insurance FC in the Round of 16, a team that defeated Rangers in last year’s final.

Rangers last won the prestigious title in 2021 when they triumphed over Kano Pillars in a penalty shootout in Asaba.