Heartland FC’s technical manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed his happiness after his team defeated Rangers 2-0 on the road in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 33 Oriental Derby at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Twenty-one minutes into the game, Suraju Lawal gave the “Naze Millionaires” the lead.

Three minutes into the second half, Isaac Nassy doubled the five-time champions’ lead.

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The win moved the 2009 CAF Champions League runners-up out of the drop zone and into 15th place on the table with 41 points, allaying their fears of relegation.

After the game, Amuneke, the former winger for FC Barcelona of Spain and Zamalek of Egypt, told reporters that the victory demonstrated his team’s capacity to take advantage of crucial opportunities.

Both of Heartland’s away victories this season—against Abia Warriors and now Rangers—came in Oriental Derbies.

The three-time Federation Cup winners prevailed 2-0 in both games.

“I think the important thing is that we’ve come to believe in what we’re doing,” Amuneke said.

“In every journey, there will be ups and downs—there will be moments of doubt. But what matters is staying focused.

“As you mentioned, people in this part of the country may have seen us play.

“We’ve been playing good football.

“We’ve been creating lots of chances, but unfortunately haven’t always been able to convert them.

“But today, in such a big game against the defending champions, Rangers—a team with great potential and achievements—it was very, very important that we took the two chances that came our way and managed the game well.

“That’s exactly what we did.”

Amuneke also noted that the performance reflects the work his team has put in throughout the season.

“What really excited me today is that we were able to demonstrate what we’ve been trying to do all season,” he added.

“Most of the players I have are young, with only a few experienced ones.

“But the important thing is that we showed we can play good football and achieve our objective, which was to claim all three points.

“So we’re happy. We’ll return home and continue working as we have been. Our next game is against Kwara United, and hopefully we’ll be in a position to secure the three points.”

Kwara United currently sit 11th on the NPFL table with 43 points.