Heartland coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has highlighted fitness issues as one of the factors which accounted for his team’s loss in Thursday's friendly against fellow Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Enugu Rangers.
The Naze Millionaires were thrashed 4-2 at their home ground, Okigwe Township Stadium by one of their ‘oriental rivals’.
Ilechukwu admits it was a wake-up call ahead of the new NPFL campaign set to begin on September 22.
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“Today’s (Thursday) game was very poor maybe because of fitness levels and the understanding is not there yet but I believe we shall soon get to the desired level and get the job done effectively,” Ilechukwu told the media in a post-match interview.