Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland: Okike’s early strike stops spirited Naze Millionaires
Heartland FC produced a commendable performance worthy of at least a share of the spoils but it was another disappointing 1-0 away defeat in Umuahia to Abia Warriors in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Five game played on Sunday.
The only goal of the game was recorded in the eighth minute of the encounter after the Naze Millionaires’ goalkeeper, Emmanuel Iwu could not have a firm grip of the ball thus allowing Meme Okike with the chance to slot the ball home.
The build up to the Oriental derby encounter put attention on both teams’ gaffers: Erasmus Onuh Olottah who before the beginning of last season was with the Owerri side, and Christian Obi who steered Heartland FC’s return to the topflight. It was a different ball game as soon as the centre referee signalled the start of hostilities in Umuahia.
Knowing the importance of the game, Obi made six sweeping changes to the side that struggled to a 1-1 draw against Katsina United at home. Emmanuel Iwu was preferred to hitherto number one, Chisom Chiaha. Iwu with his second debut for the five times league champions since he left them for Akwa United in 2016. He was up against Abia Warriors, the same club he was with last season.
Andrew Abalogu, Chukwuma Nwankwo, Peter Afolayan and Samuel Stone were included in the starting 11 ahead of Divine Ukadike, Izuchukwu Abugu, Fabian Omaka and Ezekiel Bassey and Ori Elvis while Prince Onuoha was introduced for his maiden appearance for the club.
It was the home team that initiated the first real attack after a cagey early minutes exchanges and it was from where Okike managed to find the back of the net in the eighth minute.
Heartland FC could have equalised moments later through Onuoha whose debut could have sparked wild celebration when he was presented with a chance to score in the 17th minute but he inexplicably fired wide from close range. It was the visitors’ best chance of the game.
Chidiebere Ajoku replaced Onuoha in the 48th minute while Chijioke Opara, Fabian Omaka and Patrick Nwogbaga were also introduced in the 65th minute to add bite and urgency to Heartland FC’s attack but the home team stood their ground and held on to the 1-0 lead with all they had.
Abia Warriors could have doubled the lead late on in the game but Iwu redeemed himself to deny his former team another goal.
Heartland FC finished strongly but there was no enough firepower in the final third to complement all the hard work as the referee signalled the end of the game after exhilarating 94 minutes of action.
The Naze Millionaires must put the loss in Umuahia behind them with a crunch tie against Rivers United next in Owerri on Wednesday.
Heartland FC Media
