Baron Pierre de Coubertin the great French Educator and Father of Modern Olympics advocated his philosophical ideal for athletic competition: than the competition itself. In other words the Joy of participation, the effort and opportunity to practice and compete in sports is far more important than winning
That school of though might not suffice for Sunday’s grand Occasion.
The Oriental derby, a battle amongst brothers who suffered one of the most inhuman destruction from 1967 to 1970 during the Nigerian Civil war.
The Oriental derby is an eloquent testimony of a resilient People who Started from the bottom with 20 pounds yet we have risen through adversity and perseverance to rise from the ruins of War.
Historically Rangers International FC was born in 1970 in the East Central State by The legendary Jerry Enyeazu.
Instead of turning to crime and criminal activities, Enyeazu used Sports and football as a tool to redirect the energies of our youth to useful endeavors and social Re engineering
Before Enyeazu football Renaissance of the 70s , the great Zik of Africa Nigeria’s first President had founded a Football club in Port Harcourt present Rivers State.
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe founded Zik’s Athletic Club (ZAC) in 1938 as an alternative to the selective and racially biased British-run clubs that controlled Nigerian sports at the time. By 1949 when the First Nigerian football team was assembled as UK tourists some of his players made it to the National team.
Players like Dan Anyiam, Titus Okere Sam Ibiam the goal keeper ,Justin Onwudiwe the defender ,Olisa Chukwura , Okoronkwo Kanu bore witness that the region had always been blessed with great talented players.
The Enyeazu football movement of 1970 was special because of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Rangers International. 6 years later he created Spartans Football club (Heartland FC)and later Falcons that became Enyimba international in a deliberate plan to keep the youths busy by providing a platform for them to hone their God -given skills.
10 years later in 1980, Christian Chairman Chukwu led Nigeria to her first Nations Cup triumph on home soil.
He was a product of Rangers International a team formed after the destruction of the region where many lost their lives and property. Like the Phoenix rises from the ashes to help Nigeria win her first Nations Cup title.
The Oriental derby is not just a derby but a celebration of who we are as a people, our struggles and accomplishments.
The Second Nations Cup triumph had the signature of the Present Technical Manager of Heartland FC of Owerri Emmanuel Amuneke who scored two goals against Zambia in 1994 .
Amuneke was born in Ezi Obodo Owerri West Local Government Area in Imo State,where he attended Baptist primary school before migrating to Lagos State.
Amuneke’s goal in 1996 meant Nigeria won the gold medal of the football event just as Chioma Ajunwa won Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medal ever .
In the Nigerian top flight Rangers have won the league 8 times Enyimba 9 and Heartland 5 times.
I dare say that No region has won more than these men from the East .
Despite the efforts of Sir Jerry Enyeazu to use football to develop his People, his name and legacies seem forgotten and buried in history.
It behoves on all Football administrators from the South East and our Governors to immortalize a legend who achieved so much , who impacted so many lives with his administrative dexterity.
The first Oriental derby took place in 1976 with the Likes of Christian Church
Emmanuel Okala
Ezeani
Kenneth Nlemibe
Eze Nwankwo
While the Spartans (Heartland FC) had the likes of
Leo Nkwocha
Amadi Nwokeocha
Eugene Ohuabunwa
Kevin Onwana
George Okoro(Wagner)
Peter Erege
Godwin Ebomuche (the great Goalkeeper)
Ben (Zico) Nwosu
Since then there have been many memorable battles between both teams.
In 1981 Rangers played a fast one on Spartans in the league.
A mammoth crowd at the New Dan Anyiam Stadium collapsed part of the Stadium .
Rangers quickly used the advantage to take away the game to a Neutral ground in Calabar Cross River State.
Rangers will later win the game 2 nil to help them win the League title .
Kanu Nwankwo and Mobi Oparaku’ s debut for Iwuanyanwu Nationale was a pulsating 2-2 draw against Rangers International. A 3rd goal was controversially disallowed which meant both sides will share the spoils.
Players like Obinna Obiaka Tony Nwigwe, Casmir Mbachu
Uche Agbo
Collins Amadi (zigima)
Charles Uzor
Chinedu Efugh have played for both sides tasting both divides .
Finally Sunday’s battle will be grand , memorable and special.
Rangers have an eye on Continental Football while Heartland desperately need to survive the drop.
Both sides have played twice this season and it took the lottery of penalties to separate them in Awka during the 2025 President Federation Cup Cup Round of 32 encounter.
It was a battle of wits , a battle of Supremacy, ego and bragging rights
Heartland is prepared like the Spartans of old to fight till the last man
The Spartans will fight with the last drop of our blood
No retreat
No surrender
Remember we are still brothers.
