Naija Super 8: Enyimba win Oriental derby over Heartland as Remo thrash 3SC

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba pipped Heartland FC 1-0 at the Eket Township Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to book a place at the Naija Super 8 on Saturday.

The Oriental Derby between the two South East sides was a cagey affair but Murphy Ndukwu’s first-half goal separated both sides.

The first chance of the match fell to Heartland FC’s Okafor who forced the People’s Elephants goalie, Olorunleke Ojo to make an early save.

The winning goal came in the 25th minute as Ndukwu volleyed into the back of the net.

The player scored against his former side to take nine-time Nigerian champions into the main tournament of the Naija Super 8.

Meanwhile, Another NPFL side, Remo Stars defeated Shooting Stars 3-0 to pick the South West ticket.

Goals from Samuel Anakwe, Boniface Nwaeze, and Anthony Okpe ensured a 3-0 win for the Sky Blue Stars over the Oluyole Warriors, one of their heaviest defeats in the South West derby played at the Naija Super Eight zonal playoffs in Eket on Friday.

Six teams from each geo-political zones would qualify for the Naija Super 8 tournaments.