Enugu Rangers International coach, Abdul Maikaba, has commended his players for the fight back with which they beat Heartland 3-1 in their NPFL matchday 27 Oriental derby played at the Awka City Stadium on Saturday, and hints he is aiming at a league glory with the Flying Antelopes, Completesports reports.

Heartland opened scoring in the 13th minute of the game courtesy of Yakubu Monday, but Okay Martins equalised in the 22nd minute for the home side, Enugu Rangers. Shedrack Asiegbu made it 2-1 for the Flying Antelopes in the 40th minute before Esobo Archibong smothered Heartland’s fight back with a 90th minute goal.

“We are happy with the result. At this stage of the league, win anywhere is important. Now l believe this – our win will change our position and that is good for us,” Maikaba told Completesports.com after the match.

On what he was thinking when his side was a goal down at home, Maikaba said: “Well, it’s part of football. Sometimes, you can’t get it right early enough. You can make your mistakes early, but if you are able to rectify the mistakes as quickly as possible, that is what matters”.

“I am happy my boys were not destabilized, they kept calm even after conceding the goal. They kept playing and created chances, we lost some and we were able to score some, and at the end we are 3-1 winners”.

On Enugu Rangers’ next game against Remo Stars, Maikaba said the team will prepare more because of what is at stake.
“What is special about our game against Remo Stars is that we are contending for a [top] position at present,” he said.

“The destiny is in our own hands. Next week we go to Remo, get something, and that is to consolidate which is the mission. We will try and prepare ourselves so well for that”.

Enugu Rangers International are currently third in the NPFL table on 45 points from 27 games, behind leaders Rivers United [55 points] and second-placed Plateau United [51points] whose matchday 27 games were pending on Sunday at the time of this report.

By Chigozie Chukwuleta, in Awka.