Heartland Vs Abia Warriors Preview: The Naze Millionaires seek redemption against Umuchineke Boys

Heartland FC will shift focus to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 30 tie where they have a home game against Abia Warriors on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

The game is coming barely four days after they defeated CP Strikers 2-0 in the President Federation Cup Round of 64 tie.

The win got in Jos last Wednesday against the Police team from Borno State ended the Naze Millionaires’ five games winless streak in all competitions and it is expected that Heartland players should be all fired up to take Abia Warriors to the cleaners.

The game ended 2-0 in Heartland’s favour when the first leg was played in Umuahia. It was the first time the Owerri side would visit the Abia State capital and secure all points. Emmanuel Amuneke led side would be on the threshold of history again on Sunday if they manage to beat the Umuchineke Boys. It would be the first time they would be getting a double win over Imama Amapakabo’s team.

Abia Warriors would be coming to Owerri with a revenge in mind but judging by Heartland’s position on the league table, they cannot afford to lose further points at home especially in the final run in when all teams are striving to either consolidate on their good spots in the league table or steer clear of the relegation zone.

The Technical Manager, Amuneke knows the task at hand and he has commissioned the players to put their act to the game and ensure they show they have the love of the club at heart by going all out for the three points.

“We want our players to come all out and go for the three points. We can’t afford to drop more points at home. The game with Abia Warriors is key and the players must be alive to their responsibilities,” Amuneke said.

“We have done what we ought to do and we are confident the players we step up their performance.”

The players were put through special drilling throughout the game’s preparations and emphasis have been on correcting the team’s problematic attack which has seen the team missing tonnes of scoring opportunities.

Midfield enforcer, Anthony Omaka is unavailable for this as he picked his fifth booking of the second stanza in Ikenne against Remo Stars last weekend but Stephen Ezeamaiwe and Emmanuel Charles should fit in seamlessly.

Elvis Ori has also made significant progress from injury and has joined the rest of his teammates in training sessions with him adorning a face mask to protect the cheek that got hurt in the first stanza against Nasarawa United.

He should be in the first team squad jostling for jersey in the next few weeks.

Heartland is 17th on the log with 34 points but a home win over Abia Warriors will take the team out of the relegation zone. A home win won’t come easy with Abia Warriors in sixth spot with 44 points but it is important the players must fight for the Heartland badge from the start to the finish.