Heartland FC 3-2 Nasarawa United Match Report: Naze Millionaires complete dramatic comeback win over the Solid Miners

Christian Molokwu was the hero of the day as Heartland FC left it late to pull off a dramatic 3-2 win over Nasarawa United in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 15 ties played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.

Technical Manager Emmanuel Amuneke made slight changes to the team that started against Kwara United replacing Chukwuma Agor and his elder brother Chukwudi with Promise Anyanwu and Michael Ogu who both began from the bench in Ilorin.

The Naze Millionaires got off to a flying start 15 minutes into the encounter when Promise Anyanwu headed home Christian Nkwo’s trademark long throw-in as the visitors’ defenders failed in their scramble to clear off the ball from their box.

Three minutes after the half hour mark, Heartland had the chance to double their lead when Benjamin Victor was fouled and stopped from making his amazing incursion into the Solid Miners’ territory but the resultant free kick from Ikwu Ejike failed to trouble goalkeeper Ameh Godwin.

Heartland were denied a halftime lead just seconds from the break as Anas Yusuf volleyed the ball with his left foot over goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokoecha to level the score for Nasarawa United. The Owerri defenders were caught napping.

Forward Saraju Lawal had a golden opportunity to restore the Naze Millionaires’ advantage in the 59th minute after Nkwo launched another trademark throw-in into the visitors’ box but his header went off the target. This came three minutes after Amuneke replaced Anyanwu with Chukwuma Agor. Anyanwu was replaced some minutes after missing a golden chance to put the Naze Millionaires back in the ascendancy. He had Goalkeeper, Ameh Godwin at his mercy but instead of shooting on target he elected to drag on to the ball for too long and was dispossessed by the Solid Miners’ Goalie.

Nasarawa United stunned the hosts in the 85th minute when Abubakar Garba, a substitute who came on two minutes earlier in place of Qamar Adegoke capitalised on Heartland sloppiness inside their box area to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the tie.

Despite going behind, the Naze Millionaires quickly regrouped to salvage something for the home crowd and immediately found themselves back in the game when Lawal compensated for his earlier misses to equalise for Heartland two minutes from time.

Molokwu sent the home fans into wild celebration in the second minute of stoppage time after he sliced home Nkwo’s throw-in with his side foot to secure a dramatic comeback victory for Naze Millionaires.

The victory increased Heartland’s season tally to 20 points and the team now sits 10th on NPFL table. Heartland have now won four of their last seven league games while they have drawn two and lost one and have opened the month of December with a win.

Up next for Heartland is a long trip to Jos where they will face Plateau United in their next NPFL Matchday 16 tie billed for this weekend.

Heartland FC Team List: Chukwuebuka Nwokoecha, Benjamin Victor, Ikwu Ejike,
Christian Nkwo, Christian Molokwu, Peters Afolayan, Michael Ogu (Chikamso Obasi, 68′) (Olanrewaju Molade 90′), Surajudeen Lawal, Promise Anyanwu (Chukwuma Agor, 56′), Elvis Ori (Joshua Odo 83′), Iyanda Tobi (Itebu James, 68′)

Unused Substitutes

Chisom Chiaha, Charles Emmanuel, Adoh Chuks, Osinachi Wilson.

Emmanuel Amuneke
Technical Manager

Yellow cards: Itebu James, 70′ Goals: Promise Anyanwu 15′, Surajudeen Lawal 88′, Christian Molokwu 90+2

Promise Anyanwu 16’, Suraju Lawal 88’, Christian Molokwu 90+’ – Anas Yusuf 45’, Garba Abubakar 85’Promise Anyanwu 16’, Suraju Lawal 88’, Christian Molokwu 90+’ – Anas Yusuf 45’, Garba Abubakar 85’
Man of the Match: Christian Nkwo (Heartland FC)

NASARAWA UNITED LINE-UP: Ameh Godwin, Abubakar Abdullahi, Mubarak Hussaini, Chidera Nduka, Emeka Onyema, Victor Collins, Anas Yusuf, Sabo Gambo, Qamar Adegoke(Garba Abubakar 82)’, Chinonso Okonkwo(Garba Mohammed 65′), Shina Kumater.

UNUSED SUBS: Mohammed Galadima, Manga Mohammed, Kabir Balogun, Akpor Simon, Habibu Alakija, King Osanga, Auta Awal.

Caution: Victor Collins(NAS)18′

Goals: Anas Yusuf 45’, Garba Abubakar 85’