NPFL: Heartland breaks Five Years Jinx Against Abia Warriors

Heartland breaks Five Years Jinx Against Abia Warriors

By Admin

Heartland of Owerri today at Okigwe township stadium sent its fans and Management into wild jubilation as the Naze millionaires piped Abia Warriors in one of the Match Day 14 fixture of the 2019/2020 NPFL Season.

The Umuahia Warlords who the bookers odd favoured ahead of the epic Oriental derby looked foward to stretch their Five (5) years dominance over their noisy Oriental neighbours.

The oriental derby to the Naze millionaires was a litmus test for Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his boys following Abia Warriors unbeaten derby track record aganist the owerri based team.

The Naze millionaires at the blast of the whistle for kick off showed determination and purpose as they took the fight to the visitors half in search of early lead.

Heartland attacking duo of Thompson Abiodun and Obioma Chukwuemeka was handful for the Umuahia Warlords defence line as they terrorised and mesmerised the visitors backline.

Abia Warriors who were highly pressurized kept their cool and sat back to absorb all that were thrown at them till the team found their rythm.

It was a tough battle in the middle of the park as both team midfielders matched each other with equal strength to have the possession on same level.

The host on three occasions came close to record the curtain raiser but all thanks to Abia Warriors goalie GK Uche Okafor who pulled fantastic saves to deny the Naze millionaires their supposed lead before the both teams retired back to the locker room.

On resumption after the interval, the Naze millionaires became more purposeful and the broke the deadlock afterwards at the 56min, it was rampaging Abiodun Thompson who broke the deadlock being set up by Obioma Chukwuemeka to send the fans into rapture.

Abia Warriors gaffer Emmanuel introduced Ozor Chinedu, Atilola Tunde and Guy keumian for Promise James, Oni Jimoh and Ugwuka Emmanuel in search of change in fortune but the Naze millionaires defenders guided their had fought lead jealously.

Abiodun Thompson nearly recorded a brace towards the end of normal duration but had his effort parried onto the woodwork by experienced Uche Okafor in goal for the visitors.

Super Eagles goalie Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal for the Naze millionaires was on holiday almost through the game duration but was put to test on two Occasion by Abia Warriors Jimoh Oni forcing him to a brilliant save.

Abia Warriors effort for a leveller was all in Vain as the Naze millionaires defended stoutly to hold on to their hard fought lead.

It was a moment of celebration for the whole Imolites , Heartland players and Management at the blast of the final whistle to bring the proceedings to an end as the team finally got to record a win against their Oriental brothers after 5years.