Heartland 2-1 Shooting Stars: The Naze Millionaires battle all odds to pip the Oluyole Warriors
Heartland FC recorded their third successive home win for the first time this season following a 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday evening in one of the NPFL Matchday 25 ties.
Chukwuma Agor and John Bassey’s goals helped the Naze Millionaires to their latest win while Mustapha Adam netted for the Oluyole Warriors’ solitary strike in the encounter.
Kelvin Ogunga bagged his sixth consecutive game of the season since his introduction in the away game with Lobi Stars in Lafia while Christian Molokwu returned after he served a game suspension due to card accumulations to pair Samuel Agu in the central defence. Ikwu Ejike and Christian Nkwo were the other two players in the defence.
Anthony Omaka, Charles Emmanuel continued their yeoman job in the midfield with Chukwuma Agor and Terdoo Shimagande complementing their efforts. Joel Okoro and Surajudeen Lawal were the pivots in the attack.
Before the start of the game, Imo SWAN Heartland FC Player of the Month for January 2025, Anthony Omaka was presented his award by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo Chapter, Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka to a thunderous applause from the fans.
Heartland started the game on a fast tempo in the first half with all the players combining well to make a quick switch between the defence and attack and they gave no rooms to the Oluyole Warriors to play their game.
After some near misses, Heartland took the lead in the 31st minute through Chukwuma Agor’s shot that got a slight help from Ghali Falke’s deflection. Lawal gave the assist to Agor who scored his third goal of the season in the process.
It was 1-0 at halftime with the Naze Millionaires in the lead. At the resumption of the second half, the home team still carried on the form of the first half and it wasn’t too long they had the ball at the back of the net through Lawal’s shot which flew past Shooting Stars Goalie, Mustapha Lawal but the referee signalled that the hardworking attacker had strayed offside before he made the kick.
Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke introduced Daniel Ekpo, Samuel Wisdom and John Bassey in the 73rd minute in place of Agor, the goalscorer; Joel Okoro and Suraju Lawal to add more urgency and fluidity to Heartland’s game in the final third and their inclusion kick started a series of bombardment of the visitors’ goal area.
There was a mild drama in the 78th minute when the referee pointed to the spot for a foul in the home team’s penalty area when it was obvious that Samuel Agu cleanly nodded the ball ahead of the Shooting Stars’ attacker who contested the ball with him.
Shooting Stars later converted the penalty kick through Mustapha Adam for their equaliser in the 80th minute.
Despite conceding a late equaliser at home, Heartland players were unrelentingly and they continued pushing for the winning goal which later came from another penalty kick awarded by the referee in the 84th minute. The referee adjudged that a Shooting Stars player handled the ball in the penalty area for his decision.
John Bassey initial effort from the penalty kick was saved by Goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal in the 87th minute but the referee noticed that the goalie had stepped out of his line before the spot kick was taken and he ordered a retake. Bassey redeemed himself at the second time of asking placing the ball to the far corner a minute later for the Naze Millionaires’ second goal.
Stephen Ezeamaiwe replaced impressive Emmanuel Charles in the 90th minute to shore up the midfield and prevent an unlikely equaliser.
Heartland held on for the remaining part of the game for the maximum points to move to 32 points from 24 games. The Naze Millionaires will face Niger Tornadoes on Wednesday in a Matchday 25 tie.
