Enugu Rangers, Heartland to trade tackles in Owerri on Sunday

Enugu Rangers will trade tackles with Heartland on Sunday evening in a friendly tie.

Both teams are still on break just like other top-flight teams because of the Nigeria Football Federation leadership impasse but they are making most of the opportunity presented them to play test games.

The Naze Millionaires will host the seven times league champions at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri in a repeat of the league tie played at the same venue this season which they lost 1-0.

Rangers coach, Gbenga Ogunbote said that the desire to play against an elite division side after engaging many non-league teams in test games informed their decision to approach Heartland for a friendly tie.

“We are going to be playing against Heartland in a friendly game on Sunday and it is the making of both teams to test our players after such a long break,” Ogunbote told Goal.

“It is just a friendly game and we are not attaching much importance to it. We want to see our players in real action after so many games we have played against teams that are not playing in the top-flight.

“We are calm ahead of the game and we expect a good game. I know that the game will be useful to Heartland as they continue their rebuilding process. No small games and it is actually another oriental derby for both teams.”

The tactician expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players and their comportment since they returned from the World Cup break and he is praying for a quick resolution of the NFF crisis.

“We are all praying for a peaceful resolution. We are here today because of this. We should be preparing for another league match but it is not to be,” he continued.

“We won’t relent. We will continue to do our best and to continue to prepare the players so that anytime the break is called off we shall be ready.”

Rangers are 10th in the league table with 33 points from 24 games.