Heartland FC further brightened their chances of a quick return to the Nigeria Professional Football League following their 1-0 home win over Cynosure FC in a Matchday 8 tie of the Nigeria National League played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday.
The Owerri side which secured their fifth victory of the season by virtue of the win with three draws have opened up a six points gap at the top of Group B4 of the NNL Southern Conference with 18 points from eight games. Second placed Giant Brillars are on 12 points from the same number of games. The Owerri side are the only unbeaten side in the group.
Heartland FC with 100 percent home record at home before the game started the tie with Cynosure FC on a slow pace which gave the visitors the impetus to go on the offensive in the opening 10 minutes. But Goalkeeper Godwin Paul with his defence were up to the task.
The home side later woke up and it didn’t take long before they got the opening goal before the end of the first half. Onyekachi Okafor who is the team’s leading scorer with four goals nodded home an inviting free kick for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
Heartland FC failed to increase the tally in the second half and were fortunate to bag all points with the visitors missing glaring chances including hitting the goal post with Goalkeeper Godwin Paul beaten.
It ended with another 1-0 home win just like it was in the home victory over Edel FC two weeks ago.
In the results of other games played in the group, Giant Brillars hopped to the second spot following a 3-1 home win over Ibom Youth FC while Edel FC came back from a goal down to beat hard-fighting Abia Comets 2-1 in Awka. They improved to the third position with 11 points.
Speaking after the game, Heartland FC head coach, Christian Obi commended his players resilience and determination to eke out the three points in spite of Cynosure FC obstinacy.
He agreed that his players failed to click into the game early which brought them in danger of conceding a goal but he thumbed up their ability to adapt to another tough situation that resulted in their home win.
“We were not settled in the first 10 minutes but after 15 minutes we started getting our bearing and I will always commend my boys for their determination and courage to face situations like this,” Obi told journalists shortly after the game.
“I am not too happy with our first half performance even though we scored a goal. Things improved slightly after the halftime pep talk. We made a little adjustments.”
Man of the Match and goa hero, Onyekachi Okafor, expressed his delight at the home win and his recognition after the game. He said the victory was achieved as a result of the tireless effort of the entire team and the technical crew.
He exuded confidence that Heartland FC would approach their next game with Ibom Youth FC with all seriousness so a to keep their unbeaten run and also qualify for the Super 8 before the final game of the season at home to Abia Comets.
“I am so happy with the victory and the goal I scored,” Okafor told journalists.
“It is a collective effort. Our determination from the beginning of the season is to get Heartland FC back to the NPFL. We are happy with what we have achieved so far.
“The results we have got so far is due to team work. We will continue working hard to ensure Heartland FC get back to where it belongs.”
Heartland FC will travel to Ikot Ekpene for a date with relegation threatened Ibom Youth FC this weekend. Ibom Youth FC are last in the group with six points.
A draw from that tie will confirm Christian Obi tutored side’s place in the NNL Super 8 irrespective of the results from their other group’s foes. They can qualify before then if Giant Brillars, (the only team that can perhaps catch up with them only on goals difference if they win their last two games and Heartland fluff theirs) fail to beat Abia Comets in Umuahia.
