Heartland FC recorded their first-ever away victory over Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Sunday evening in their Matchday 10 fixture of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Goals from Michael Ogu and Chukwuma Agor steered the Naze Millionaires to a 2-0 victory and the win ended the long years of Abia Warriors domination of the Owerri side. It was only the second time Heartland FC will get a positive result in Umuahia with the first a 1-1 draw in 2014.
Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke named an almost an unchanged side to the team that pipped Remo Stars in Owerri the previous week with Promise Anyanwu the only evident change who replaced Chukwuma Agor in the start team.
It was the Warriors that were on top of proceedings, but against the run of play, they fell behind in the 12th minute, off a long throw- in from Christian Nkwo that Michael Ogu headed into the net for the opener.
Umu Chineke went in search of the equalizer with Daniel Ekpo and Paul Sampson making occasional forays into the Heartland’s goal area but Peters Afolayan and his teammates stood still and were unyielding throughout the game.
With the second half almost midway, Heartland FC’s Amuneke brought on Chukwuma Agor and Tobi Iyanda to add more creativity to the midfield and also to strengthen the attack with Promise Anyanwu and Samuel Wisdom substituted.
It was the turn of Chuks Adoh and Elvis Ori to be called upon from the bench as replacements for Suraju Lawal and Ikechukwu Mgbemena with two minutes before the full time.
Though the home team pressurized the Heartland defence but they lacked the cutting edge to put the ball at the back of net. Heartland made the game save with the second goal in the fifth minute of the additional time through Chukwuma Agor who tapped home to unprotected net from Tobi Iyanda’s pass.
There was still enough time for Ikwu Ejike to be replaced by Olanrewaju Molade before the referee signalled the final whistle.
The win has lifted Heartland to the 12th spot with 12 points from 10 games ahead of their home duel with Sunshine Stars on Sunday in Owerri.
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