Heartland FC have staged a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League barely a season in the second tier of football in the country.
The Naze Millionaires defeated Sporting Lagos 2-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba to move to the top of the Southern Conference with seven points from three games and thus within one game of ending the season unbeaten.
It was the Lagos team that drew the first blood in the 15th minute off a beautiful curler from Kalu Chukwuemeka but Heartland FC equalised in the 36th minute through Francis Erikan.
Heartland FC threw everything at Sporting Lagos in the second half and their persistence was rewarded with the winning goal in the 71st minute through Chidiebere Ajoku’s clincher.
Heartland FC thus topped the group with seven points from three games while Sporting Lagos came in second with six points.
The Owerri side will contest the NNL Championship title with Kano Pillars who came first in the Northern Conference ahead of Katsina United even when both teams ended the group stage with six points.
The Sai Masu Gida edged them on superior goals difference despite losing the third group game 1-0 to Katsina United.
In the second game of the Southern Conference played at the Austin Okocha Stadium, Ogwashi Uku, FC One Rocket made it three successive losses following their 4-0 defeat to Abeokuta Stormers.
Earlier Kano Pillars and Katsina United booked their return ticket to the NPFL.
Katsina United who had their qualification chances in tatters following their surprised defeat to EFCC FC, beat Kano Pillars by a lone goal through Victor Mbaoma’s 55th minute effort via the penalty spot.
DMD FC blew apart EFCC FC in the second game in the Northern Conference 3-0 to end the faint hope of an Abuja based team returning to the topflight.
Tomorrow , Heartland FC will confront Kano Pillars in the NNL Super 8 Playoff final to determine the champions of the division.