Heartland FC were no doubt distraught by the outcome of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 24 tie with Katsina United in Katsina last weekend but players, coaches and officials of the Owerri have put that result behind them as they concentrate on the home fixture with Abia Warriors on Wednesday in Awka.
The Naze Millionaires put up a commendable performance at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina and even shot into the lead though Barnabas Ingya’s beautiful header but a late controversial decision changed the game’s tide and the visitors had to settle for a draw. It was how the game ended in Owerri too in the first stanza.
The dust from that game in Katsina had hardly settled but they have another important fixture with Abia Warriors lurking around. It is another Oriental derby which the visitors have dominated in the past until Heartland FC broke the unbeaten spell in 2020 under Fidelis Ilechukwu’s reign as coach. Abiodun Thompson with the solitary goal at Okigwe Township Stadium. There was another win in 2022 also on May 1st in Owerri.
Considering the precarious position of Heartland FC on the league table , the Wednesday tie holds a lot of importance to the team. It is a must win as the club continues to negotiate their way out of the drop zone. Judging by the way the players handled the last two games with Sunshine Stars and Katsina United, it is expected that there won’t be any reason for another lethargic home performance.
Heartland FC will work towards seeking the maximum points on Wednesday. The Naze Millionaires were impressive in Umuahia in the first leg tie played in October and were unlucky to lose the game by a goal to nil.
The Owerri side newly signed players are settling down fast and in the integration between them and the retained players has been very smooth. With more hard work complemented by improved performance, Heartland FC can get the first win of the second stanza and kick start the relegation escape route from there.
Heartland FC players and officials arrived from Katsina on Sunday night and are in high spirits to go all out for a positive result on Wednesday in Awka.
The current acting head coach of Abia Warriors, Bethel Orji replaced Erasmus Onuh Olottah in 2015 at Heartland FC and nine years later in 2024 he will lead Abia Warriors to Awka to face his former club having taken over again from Erasmus Onuh this time at Abia Warriors.
New Abia Warriors recruits, Fabian Omaka and Arum Kingsley could play against Heartland FC on Wednesday. They were Heartland players as at January 2024 before they swapped base during the last mid-season transfer.
Chinedu Ozor is another player who formerly featured for Abia Warriors but now with Heartland FC. He could also be in the mix for Wednesday tie.
*Past Heartland FC Vs Abia Warriors Results*
29.10.2023 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland
01.05.2022 Heartland 2-1 Abia Warriors
16.01.2022 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland
21.07.2021 Abia Warriors 2-1 Heartland
07.03.2021 Heartland 2-2 Abia Warriors
12.01.2020 Heartland 1-0 Abia Warriors
12.05.2019 Heartland 2-4 Abia Warriors
06.02.2019 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland
08.04.2018 Heartland 0-0 Abia Warriors
19.06.2016 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland
28.02.2016 Heartland 0-1 Abia Warriors
23.08.2015 Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland
22.04.2015 Heartland 0-1 Abia Warriors.
Source/Heartland Media
