Heartland 1-1 Bendel Insurance Report: The Naze Millionaires suffer late collapse to share spoils with Edo Arsenals

Heartland FC suffered a serious setback in their quest to end the first stanza in the top echelon of the table of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season following a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Bendel Insurance.

The game was played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday in one of the Matchday 17 Fixtures with Heartland FC having narrowly lost to Plateau United in Jos 3-2 expected to bounce back to winning ways Infront of their fans.

It was the home team that took the early initiative and it was no surprise they took the lead after just six minutes through Promise Anyanwu who netted his second of the season off Christian Nkwo’s throw-in.

There was a late twist to it in the 82nd minute when a defensive blunder gave Austin Ogunye the chance to score from close range though the goal may have been scored from an offside position.

Heartland first choice goalkeeper, Ebuka Nwokoecha was missing in action due to injury and he had Chisom Chiaha as his replacement while Olanrewaju Molade got a rare start ahead of Ikwu Ejike while Chuks Adoh also made the start list.

Benjamin Victor, Ori Elvis, Christian Molokwu, Christian Nkwo, Peters Afolayan, Promise Anyanwu, Suraju Lawal and Tobi Iyanda all retained their jerseys from the previous game.

The Naze Millionaires started the game impressively but missed a couple of chances before Anyanwu’s strike after six minutes.

The Edo Arsenals didn’t take Heartland FC’s goal kindly and they were close to getting the equaliser in the 14th minute when two of their players lurked Heartland FC penalty area to nod into the net but Molokwu managed to get to the ball before the two.

Heartland FC managed to maintain their lead until the end of the first half and were on course to record another home win but disaster struck in the 82nd minute when the Owerri defender gave the ball on the platter to Ogunye to equalised from the ensuing melee.

The two points lost is a massive setback for Heartland FC who will now travel to play two away games against two struggling teams- Akwa United and Lobi Stars.

Pius Eyigege, Samuel Wisdom, Joshua Odo and Chinedu Ozor were all introduced in place of Chuks Adoh, Tobi Iyanda, Suraju Lawal, and Ori Elvis with a view to preserve the goal advantage but it was not to be as the team now concentrates on their visit to Uyo to face Akwa United this weekend.

Speaking at the end of the game, Heartland FC Chief coach, Charles Uzor said the players lost concentration in the dying moments of the game and that the technical crew will go back to correct the lapses before the next game with Akwa United.

He pointed out that the team gave a good account of themselves and will work harder to overcome the present setback.

“It was a game we started well and even scored an early goal but our boys loss concentration in the dying minute and conceded that goal,” Uzor told journalists.

“It is no time to apportion blames. We shall go back and take a look at what we did wrong to make corrections before our trip to Uyo to face Akwa United.”