NPFL 24: More misery for Heartland as Abia Warriors edge Naze Millionaires at home

Abia Warriors have conpunded the woes of Heartland FC produced a commendable efficiency worthy of a minimum of a share of the spoils however it was one other disappointing 1-0 away defeat in Umuahia to Abia Warriors in a Nigeria Premier Soccer League Matchday 5 sport performed on Sunday.

The one objective of the sport was recorded within the eighth minute of the encounter after the Naze Millionaires’ goalkeeper, Emmanuel Iwu couldn’t have a agency grip of the ball thus permitting Meme Okike with the possibility to fit the ball residence.

The construct as much as the Oriental derby encounter put consideration on each groups’ gaffers: Erasmus Onuh Olottah who earlier than the start of final season was with the Owerri aspect, and Christian Obi who steered Heartland FC’s return to the topflight. It was a unique ball sport as quickly because the centre referee signalled the beginning of hostilities in Umuahia.

Understanding the significance of the sport, Obi made six sweeping modifications to the aspect that struggled to a 1-1 draw in opposition to Katsina United at residence. Emmanuel Iwu was most popular to hitherto primary, Chisom Chiaha. Iwu along with his second debut for the 5 instances league champions since he left them for Akwa United in 2016. He was up in opposition to Abia Warriors, the identical membership he was with final season.

Andrew Abalogu, Chukwuma Nwankwo, Peter Afolayan and Samuel Stone have been included within the beginning 11 forward of Divine Ukadike, Izuchukwu Abugu, Fabian Omaka and Ezekiel Bassey and Ori Elvis whereas Prince Onuoha was launched for his maiden look for the membership.

It was the house workforce that initiated the primary actual assault after a cagey early minutes exchanges and it was from the place Okike managed to search out the again of the online within the eighth minute.

Heartland FC may have equalised moments later via Onuoha whose debut may have sparked wild celebration when he was introduced with an opportunity to attain within the seventeenth minute however he inexplicably fired huge from shut vary. It was the guests’ greatest probability of the sport.

Chidiebere Ajoku changed Onuoha within the forty eighth minute whereas Chijioke Opara, Fabian Omaka and Patrick Nwogbaga have been additionally launched within the sixty fifth minute so as to add chunk and urgency to Heartland FC’s assault however the residence workforce stood their floor and held on to the 1-0 lead with all that they had.

Abia Warriors may have doubled the lead late on within the sport however Iwu redeemed himself to disclaim his former workforce one other objective.

Heartland FC completed strongly however there was no sufficient firepower within the closing third to enrich all of the exhausting work because the referee signalled the top of the sport after exhilarating 94 minutes of motion.

The Naze Millionaires should put the loss in Umuahia behind them with a crunch tie in opposition to Rivers United subsequent in Owerri on Wednesday.

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola