NPFL 24: Abia Warriors vs Heartland FC match preview

Heartland FC and Abia Warriors will commerce tackles for the three factors at stake within the first Oriental derby of the season in one of many Nigeria Premier Soccer League Matchday 5 video games slated for Umuahia this weekend.

Regardless of a not too spectacular begin to the season, the Naze Millionaires have solely misplaced as soon as out of 4 video games however their Achilles heel is their lack of ability to safe a minimum of a win from two house video games performed to date and this has put the group in precarious scenario.

It’s nonetheless not a hopeless scenario judging by Heartland FC’s efficiency of their final away go to to Akure towards Sunshine Stars. As they face Abia Warriors whom they’ve crushed twice within the league up to now 5 video games since 12 months 2020 they’re assured that the elusive first win of the season could possibly be within the offing this time period.

The then Fidelis Ilechukwu led facet ended Abia Warriors’ unbeaten streak over Heartland FC on January twelfth, 2020 via Abiodun Thompson’s 56th minute strike on the Okigwe Township Stadium, Okigwe after a fantastic help from Obioma Chukwuemeka.

Underneath Imama Amapakabor as head coach of Abia Warriors, Heartland FC suffered a scare in Okigwe on March seventh, 2021 after they trailed 2-0 at halftime with present Abia Warriors coach, Erasmus Onuh Olottah on the Owerri sides’ dugout then. They managed to safe a draw within the recreation.

Heartland FC’s final away recreation towards the Umuahia facet ended by a lone aim defeat on sixteenth January, 2022 however the Owerri will probably be buoyed by the truth that they beat them of their final confrontation collectively two seasons in the past performed on Might 1st, 2022. It ended 2-1 in Heartland FC’s favour.

The Naze Millionaires have their again virtually pinned to the wall as a result of successive house attracts to Lobi Stars and Katsina United however they can’t afford to lose steam now figuring out that they might use a optimistic end result towards Abia Warriors to kickstart their season and put an finish to the perceived imbroglio within the group.

As traditional Heartland FC, head coach Christian Obi will name on Chisom Chiaha, Patrick Nwogbaga, Ezekiel Bassey, Francis Erikan and a bunch of others to assist salvage an away win that can assist sign a brand new order on the membership.

Former Heartland FC coach, Erasmus Onuh Olottah is in his second season with Abia Warriors and he was the Naze Millionaires gaffer when this fixture was performed in Owerri two seasons in the past. He’s but to drop a degree at house out of two video games performed towards Niger Tornadoes (1-0) and Kano Pillars (1-0) however he has misplaced each away video games too to Kwara United and Lobi Stars.

He has managed to retain a number of the core gamers of the group from final season. They’re new skipper, Augustine Njoku, Daniel Wotlai, Adejoh Ojonugwa, Olufemi Thomas, Jimoh Gbadamosi, and Samson Obi whereas Sunday Megwo got here in and his transition to the group has been very seamless.

Abia Warriors bought a bargained market within the acquisition of Nonso Nzediegwu from Enyimba.

One factor is definite, the followers that can throng the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday will take pleasure in the perfect of Oriental derby with possibilities few and onerous to return by however there could be a faint line between the victor and the vanquished on the finish of the sport.

Abia Warriors vs Heartland Head to Head:

1-5-2022 Heartland 2-1 Abia Warriors

16-1-2022 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland

21-7- 2021 Abia Warriors 2-1 Heartland

7-3- 2021 Heartland 2-2 Abia Warriors

12-1-2020 Heartland 1-0 Abia Warriors

Heartland FC Media