Heartland 0-1 Abia Warriors Report: Ojonugwa’s late goal stabs the Naze Millionaires hearts in Owerri

Heartland FC fell deeper into the relegation zone following a 1-0 home loss to Abia Warriors in Owerri in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 30 tie.

The Naze Millionaires spurned several scoring chances before succumbing to an 81st minute strike from former player, Adejoh Ojonugwa whose free kick sailed to the back of the net with Goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga caught in bad positioning.

Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke kept faith with Ogunga in goal while Benjamin Victor, Samuel Agu, Christian Molokwu and Ikwu Ejike were the defenders expected to form a shield round the team’s goalposts.

Christian Nkwo deputised for absent Anthony Omaka and Emmanuel Charles along with Daniel Ekpo were the midfielders.

Terdoo Shimagande, Chukwuma Agor and Surajudeen Lawal were licensed to make incursions into Abia Warriors’ goal area and get the goals.

The Naze Millionaires started the game brightly and could have been about two goals up in the opening 15 minutes. There were two penalty appeals arising from hand ball situations with the second seemed to be legitimate shout but none was deemed an infringement by the centre referee.

After a not too bad first half based on ball possession, Heartland players came into the second half not sustaining the fast tempo of the first half and conceding ball possession more easily. The visitors dominated possession and the Owerri side seemed to have run out of ideas.

Heartland got a reprieve when Emmanuel Ogbuagu was red carded for his second bookable offense in the 57th minute but instead of Abia Warriors to lose their composure, they doubled up their energies and immediately Ikechukwu Njoku was brought on to fortify the position Ogbuagu was playing while Paul Samson was sacrificed in the 60th minute.

Earlier, Stephen Ezeamaiwe and Samuel Wisdom were introduced at halftime as replacement for Emmanuel Charles and Chukwuma Agor but it was of not too much effects. Wisdom brought another dimension to the game as he could hold the ball and prey open defences but his end product was a suspect because of his lack of shooting abilities.

Lawal too had a few chances he could have buried including a effort in the 63rd minute but his shot lacked proper precision as the ball went agonising out wide with the gaping net as his mercy.

The introduction of Joel Okoro in place of Ekpo and Terdoo Shimagande for John Bassey in the 66th and 80th minutes didn’t give much inspiring performance.

Molokwu who had a Man of the Match performance in the game for the home team with his near perfect interceptions and fighting spirit was culpable for the foul that led to Abia Warriors’ goal in the 81st minute. He was caught holding on to an Abia Warriors player for too long and was crucified for it. Ojonugwa who played for Heartland some couple of seasons back stepped up to take the free kick at the edge of the 18 yard box. The flight of the ball and it’s closeness to the goal area didn’t give Ogunga options to defend it.

Heartland poured men out in search of goals but poor marksmanship cost the team with the attackers unable to shoot in the 18 yard box with more precision.

Despite a capacity crowd, Heartland fans and supporters went home dejectedly and the club must go to Ikenne for a Matchday 31 tie with Sunshine Stars on Wednesday with the determination to seal the maximum points as a loss could spell doom for the Naze Millionaires.