NPFL Matchday 24 Preview: Heartland set to compound 3SC woes in Owerri

Heartland FC will be all fired up to trade tackles with Shooting Stars of Ibadan in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 24 tie at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday evening with their sight on the maximum points.

It is the reverse of Matchday Four tie which the Oluyole Warriors won 1-0 amidst some controversial talking points in the game which could have affected the overall result if the decisions had stood in favour of the Naze Millionaires.

A lot had taken place thereafter and the Owerri side will be all poised to battle for the three points after their 1-0 defeat to Katsina United the penultimate Friday and in doing so they will hope to inflict another loss to Shooting Stars whose eight game unbeaten streak was snapped by Kwara United on Wednesday in Ilorin.

It is no doubt a hot meal for the Owerri fans who will be served the sizzling encounter if they throng the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri as from 4pm on Sunday evening.

The Naze Millionaires have won both home games in the second round against Lobi Stars and Rivers United and they will strive to make it three consecutive home wins and the end of the fixture with Shooting Stars who may be suffering from burnout arising from the effect of their unbeaten record which was ended in Ilorin a few days ago.

Heartland FC ran Rivers United ragged in the last home game before the wonderful strikes of Christian Molokwu and Joel Okoro dismantled the visitors from Port Harcourt and the team is rearing to devour the lads from Ibadan to move up the league table’s ladder.

Christian Molokwu is back to the fold after missing the game against Katsina United due to card accumulations while, ageless Skipper Nnaemeka Anyanwu returns to the fold after a long injury absence. It is only the second time he would be making the squad this season, though he is yet to taste action in the league.

Heartland FC midfield kingpin, Tobi Iyanda will sit out this due to card accumulations but there are enough capable hands to replace him as the Naze Millionaires go for the broke against Shooting Stars to ensure the club has no business courting the relegation zone at all in the remainder of the season.

Shooting Stars are riding high in second spot with 40 points but renewed Heartland FC is eager to change the narratives which denotes that the Owerri side must hover the relegation zone and the signs are ominous that Emmanuel Amuneke led side is determined more than ever to change the narratives not minding whose ox is gored.