Team advancement more important than personal glory, says Ezenwa

Heartland’s captain and goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said team glory rather than personal aggrandizement is uppermost on his mind, ahead of the oriental derby that pits Heartland against Ifeanyi Ubah FC.

The Naze Millionaires play host to the Anambra Warriors in Thursday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 8 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

The Owerri side succumbed to the superior fire power of Jigawa Golden Stars 1-2 in Kaduna heading into the matchup against the Anambra side that pipped visitors, Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Nnewi, in a matchday 7 clash.

Ezenwa said his core interest at the moment is to see the Owerri side exit the relegation zone than burdening himself with the chase for a clean sheet.

“I’m not under pressure at the moment, though football could be at times very funny. If you put yourself under pressure you want to keep a clean sheet you may not have it.

“I believe clean sheet will always come given the quality of defenders in our rank and file.

“Though once in a while we concede goals I know we are going to get it right because I know the calibre of players we have.

“I’m not under pressure maintaining a clean sheet the most important thing now is taking the team out of the relegation zone where we are at the moment.

“That is my focus and then after that everything will come out accordingly but now it is operation go out of the relegation zone, that’s my target to get the team out of the relegation water.

“We have huge task on our hand beating FC IfeanyiUbah on Thursday, the match is important on our path to glory.

“It’s a derby, it’s going to be tough but I believe we have done a good work to deserve a win,” said the Super Eagles shot stopper.

Heartland are 19^th on the 20-team top-flight log on six points, nine behind league leaders, Rivers United.

Story by Humphrey Njoku

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