Shooting Stars 1-0 Heartland Report:The Naze Millionaires undone by Ayanrinde’s solitary goal

A much improved Heartland FC side were beaten 1-0 by Shooting Stars in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Four tie played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Sunday.

The Naze Millionaires fell to a 21st minute strike of Samuel Ayanrinde who was allowed room to chest down an audacious pass and fired past Goalkeeper, Ebuka Nwokoecha from close range.

The goal came barely a minute after Heartland attacker, Promise Anyanwu missed a great chance to put the visitors in front while one on one with Shooting Stars Goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande following a good pullout from Udochukwu Anumudu. His tame low shot was parried away by the goalie.

Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke deployed Olanrewaju Molade Ojo, Benjamin Victor, Christian Molokwu and Peters Afolayan in defence as shield to Goalkeeper, Ebuka Nwokoecha while Nnaemeka Christian, Udochukwu Anumudu, Tobi Ige Iyanda and Adoh Frank were in the midfield. Chukwuma Agor and Promise Anyanwu were the attackers. Ojo and Iyanda had their first game of the season.

It took the Naze Millionaires some time to settle in as the Oluyole Warriors swarm on their visitors like bees in the opening 15 minutes. Nwokoecha was called to duty as early as the third minute when he tipped a ferrocious shot to corner kick.

Heartland took over proceedings thereafter and almost scored in the 20th minute when Anumudu gave a pass that evaded the Oluyole Warriors’ defence to Anyanwu who was left face to face with Goalie Abiodun but the Owerri side attacker inexplicably slammed his shit to the body of the Goalkeeper to the delight of the home team.

The miss proved costly a minute later when Shooting Stars opened the game’s account. Ayanrinde was allowed space and time to chest the ball before unleashing a shot from close range past Heartland FC Goalkeeper, Nwokoecha.

The goal conceded gingered Heartland players to become more adventurous but they were unable to equalise before the end of the first half.

Anyanwu was presented with another chance to redeem himself in the 41st minute when Anumudu’s cross spotted him again. This term, the striker chested the ball well and placed the ball to the right side of the goalpost but Goalie Abiodun was alert to tip the ball out of danger for a corner kick.

Second half was a different kettle of fish as Heartland FC dominated the game and constantly called Goalkeeper, Abiodun to duty on numerous occasions. One of such came in the 70th minute when left back, Victor’s cross from the left wing close to the corner kick line was headed in by Suraju Lawal before the cross was controversially adjudged to have cross the line for a goal kick.

Not too long thereafter, Ikechukwu Mgbemena who wanted to gain control of a short corner kick but he was tripped from behind in the 18 yard box by Shooting Stars’ defender. The incident went without any action taken.

Despite the valiant effort, Heartland FC lost the game 1-0 and must now concentrate on the home tie with Niger Tornadoes this weekend in Owerri.

Shooting Stars Team List:

Abiodun Akande, Taye Muritala, Ikouwem Utin, Alex Aghahowa, Ayodeji Bamidele, Desmond Ojietefian, Uche Onwuasonaya, Anthony Okachi, Samuel Ayanrinde, Abubakar Aliyu, Gideon Monday.

Goal: Samuel Ayanrinde 20′

Heartland Team List:
Ebuka Nwokoecha, Olanrewaju Molade (Chijioke Opara 37′), Benjamin Victor (Ikwu Ejike 80′), Nnaemeka Christian, Christian Molokwu, Peters Afolayan, Udochukwu Anumudu (Itebu James 76′), Adoh Frank (Ikechukwu Mgbemena 41′), Tobi Ige Iyanda, Chukwuma Agor (Suraju Lawal 76′)

Unused Substitutions:
Kelvin Ogunga, Joshua Odo, Chukwuma Chinedu, Osinachi Wilson,

Yellow Card: Ikechukwu Mgbemena