2023/24 NPFL: Plateau United end Heartland FC 17 matches unbeaten record with 1-0 home victory

Heartland FC put up a spirited efficiency on the Jos Street Stadium, Jos, the venue of their Nigeria Premier Soccer League Matchday Two tie with hosts, Plateau United however had been undone by the Peace Boys’ early strike by way of Bernard Mundi for a 1-0 defeat.

The loss marked the top to a exceptional 17 matches unbeaten report that began final season within the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNL) that was preserved final weekend within the 2-2 draw at residence to Lobi Stars after staging a comeback from two targets down.

Koffi Roland made his second debut for Heartland FC as he began alongside Chukwuma Nwankwo  Clement Ogbobe and Ori Elvis in the midst of the pack.

The final time he performed for Heartland was in 2016 in Jos within the ill-fated that resulted in a 1-1 draw and likewise marked the Owerri aspect’s first demotion from the topflight. He left for Dolphins not too lengthy later.

Former Enyimba man Umah Johnson joined the again 4 from the left again place whereas the hero of the house draw with Lobi Stars, Patrick Nwogbaga Began as a reward for his impactful substitute look within the final sport.  Onyekachi Okafor needed to accept a spot on the bench among the many substitutes.

Proper from the beginning, Heartland FC confirmed they got here for severe enterprise they usually had been composed from the defence to the assault. They displayed from the start of hostilities that there will not be a repeat of the drubbing they obtained of their final two visits to Jos.

However the Naze Millionaires nonetheless went behind as early because the twelfth minute by way of the strike of Bernard Mundi after he capitalized on a momentary lack of focus within the Heartland FC again line.

The coach Christian Obi led workforce got here out forcefully searching for the equaliser and the crowning second of the sport was when the pinnacle coach introduced on Ezekiel Bassey and Francis Erikan earlier than the top of the primary half to fill noticeable void.

The transfer yielded the gorgeous strikes from Heartland thereafter. It was from that good spell that Austin Osayande delivered an inch excellent go to  Nwogbaga who inexplicably missed from shut vary simply moments earlier than the top of the primary half.

Heartland FC got here again to the second half extra refreshed and hungry for the equalizing purpose however the Peace Boys did not give them the respiration area.

Infact, Plateau United nearly doubled the benefit within the second half however Heartland FC stored it intently knit on the again and needed to accept a lone purpose loss.

Heartland FC will return again to Owerri to start the preparation for the following weekend fixture with Sunshine Stars in Akure.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola