Heartland 1-1 Ikorodu City Report: Chukwuma Agor’s long-range screamer rescues point for Naze Millionaires

Chukwuma Agor scored a long-range screamer as both Heartland F.C and visiting Ikorodu City shared the spoils in a 1-1 Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 7 draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Thursday.

Head coach Emmanuel Amuneke stuck mostly with the players that got a draw in Maiduguri with only two changes to the starting XI vs El Kanemi Warriors as Ikechukwu Mgbemena and Itebu James dropped to the bench and Chuks Adoh and Udochukwu Anumudu replaced them.

Only four minutes into the entertaining encounter, the visitors stormed into the lead after Salau Yusuf’s header off a cross from Waliu Ojetoye was deflected into the net by defender Benjamin Victor.

In the 16th minute, Michael Ogu had the first clear chance to bring the Naze Millionaires back into the game but failed to connect well with a pass in the 18-yard box as he fired wide off the goalpost.

The Heartland leading goalscorer this season would be presented with another two crosses to score for the hosts before the end of the first 45 minutes but his headers failed to land at the back of the net on both occasions.

Rejuvenated Heartland came out for the second half and almost scored an equaliser immediately with an opportunity for Ogu but he was unable to convert a loose ball inside the box.

On the hour mark, Ikwu Ejike’s attempt from a free kick at the edge of the box went straight into the hands of the visitors’ goalkeeper, Oluwadamilare Aina.

After serious hard work to break through the Oga Boys, Agor finally equalised for the Naze Millionaires as the forward controlled a pass from Christian Nkwo dribbled his marker before unleashing a rocket of a shot ball from outside the box into the back of the net in the 66th minute. It was the most cherished equaliser.

In the 82nd minute, the visitors were reduced to 10-man after Ajeyigbe Toyeeb was given the marching orders following a second yellow card.

Peters Afoloyan’s header off a cross from Ikwu Ejike, which was way off its intended target, marked the last action of the highly contested game.

Heartland will be on the road this weekend as they will play Bayelsa United in a Matchday 8 tie on Sunday in Yenagoa.

Heartland FC Starting XI:

Chukwuebuka Nwokoecha (GK), Benjamin Victor , Ikwu Ejike, Christian Nkwo, Christian Molokwu, Peters Afolayan(C), Chukwuma Agor (Joshua Odo 70′), Chuks Adoh (Suraju Lawal 46′), Michael Ogu, Udochukwu Anumudu (Ikechukwu Mgbemena 46′), Tobi Iyanda (Chukwuma Chinedu 90+5′)

Unused Substitutes

Kelvin Ogunga (GK), Alex Godwin, Chijioke Opara, Charles Emmanuel, Itebu James

Goal: Chukwuma Agor 66′

Emmanuel Amuneke
Technical Manager

Ikorodu City Starting XI

Oluwadamilare Aina ( GK ), Ojetoye Waliu( C ), Harrison Uzondu, Onwe kelechi, Ohaegbulam Chibuike,⁠ Ngenge Leonard,⁠ Alade Solomon(Abdulmalik Olatunji 78′), Salau Yusuf, Cole Ayomide (Chinonso Chineme 23′), Oyedokun Tosin(Toyeeb Ajeyigbe 23′), Ayemwenre Rivio (Toyeeb Gidado 78′)

Unused Substitutes

Olughu Chinemerem – GK, Okekeaniokete Uzochukwu, Adebayo Adewale.

Goal: Saliu Yusuf 4′

Yellow cards: Oluwadamilare Aina 90+2′, Harrison Uzondu 45+4′, Chubuike Ohaegbulam 32′, Toyeeb Ajeyigbe 51′, 82′.

Red card: Toyeeb Ajeyigbe 82′