The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Heartland

  • Heartland happy to remain

    Heartland happy to remain

    Heartland of Owerri have stated that they are relieved to extend their stay in the premier league by another season after their 2-1 home win over Enugu Rangers all but guaranteed their place among the elite division next season.

    Ikechukwu Ibenegbu and Bright Ejike’s 40th and 55th minute goals cancelled out the Flying Antelopes’ Bola Lekan’s 22nd minute stunner at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    Speaking with SportingLife shortly after the match, Heartland’s media officer, Cajetan Nkwopara stated that the Naze Millionaires triumphed with the heavy presence of Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere.

    He said the club was happy to get out of the relegation zone once and for all and to maintain their top flight status before their last match of the season.

    “We are satisfied and relieved to get this important win. We are happy,” Nkwopara told SportingLife.

    Heartland have 52 points from 37 matches to be free of relegation worries after another troublesome season blighted by players’ revolt over their outstanding pay.

     

  • Transfer logjam FIFA free Kayode to Heartland

    Transfer logjam FIFA free Kayode to Heartland

    • Say  Asec not interested in Nigerian

    FIFA have granted Nigeria U20 striker Olanrewaju Kayode provisional clearance to join Nigerian club Heartland.

    MTNFootball.com was informed that the decision was taken by a single judge of the FIFA Players’ status committee on Friday.

    FIFA have authorised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to register Kayode with Heartland with immediate effect.

    This then means the player could resume his career with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya as he was loaned out to the club by Heartland at the expiration of his contract with Ivorian club Asec Mimosas.

    “Justice has been served and the player is free to now resume his career after a major decision was taken on his future,” said Kayode’s agent Emeka Ezeala.

    “He has been training with Netanya and now with this decision he can start playing official matches for the club.”

    Asec Mimosas had contested the player’s claim that he does not have a contract with them as they insisted his contract does not run out till November 2014.

    Last week, Kayode’s guardian and former NFF top shot Taiwo Ogunjobi appeared before an investigative panel set up by the NFF after Kayode petitioned over his transfer logjam.

    FIFA have said Ivorian club Asec were not truly interested in Nigeria striker Olanrewaju Kayode and only wanted what they could make on him.

    Single Judge of the Players’ Status Committee, Geoff Thompson, said that throughout the transfer logjam involving the Nigeria U20 striker, Asec never requested for the player to return to them.

    “These circumstances led the Single Judge to conclude that Asec Mimosas does not appear to be genuinely and truly interested in maintaining the services of the player concerned, but is currently rather looking for financial compensation,” said the Judge.

    The Judge therefore ordered that the NFF provisionally register Kayode to Heartland, who have already entered into a loan agreement with Israeli second division side Maccabi Netanya within the transfer deadline.

    This means Kayode has now been cleared to feature for Netanya officially.

    Asec had claimed Kayode still has a contract with them till November 2014 and therefore refused to release the player’s International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently.

    The Judge ruled that any other dispute on this matter should be routed to the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC).

    It is now expected that Asec would go before the DRC to at least request for a training compensation for the player.

  • Gov. Okorocha promises protesting Heartland

    Gov. Okorocha promises protesting Heartland

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has promised to resolve the pay dispute of Heartland after he met with the protesting players on Tuesday.

    A player told MTNFootball.com they finally met with the governor on Tuesday and he promised to see to their case.

    “We met the Governor and he said he will get to us through the Deputy Governor, who he asked to meet with our general manager. He promised to make things right soon,” the player told MTNFootball.com.

    Another player told MTNFootball.com the Governor demanded for all the documentations in respect of their sign-on fees and bonuses.

    “The Governor promised to settle us but asked our GM to bring all the documents as it concern the sign-on fees and every other thing that he will pay,” he said.

  • Heartland call for prayer

    Heartland call for prayer

    • Struggle to 0-0 against Sunshine

    Heartland have challenged their fans to intensify prayer as they continue in battle for better standing in the premier league that appears to be getting to hot for comfort for the Nazi Millionaires.

    The Owerri landlords did not hesitate in dishing out the clarion call on their handle @HeartlandFC_ng, shortly after the side was held to a 0-0 draw by visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

    The prayer point according to the twit should be directed against drifting into the relegation zone.

    “If you are a fan of the team, please pray the boys don’t enter relegation mess” it said

    The Owerri landlords last recorded a win at home September 8 against Bayelsa United. The last home match against 3SC equally ended in a 1-1 draw that was followed by 2-1 loss to ABS away.

    Incidentally the side will be heading for Port Harcourt to confront Sharks on Sunday; an indication that fans of the former Spartans of Owerri turned Heartland will have to take the call for prayer seriously.

  • Heartland captain rues ABS’ loss

    Heartland captain rues ABS’ loss

    Heartland’s captain,Chinedu Efugh is disappointed that his team failed to salvage a point against ABS FC when the two sides clashed in a Premier League tie yesterday.

    Efugh revealed that because of the dicey position the Owerri side had found themselves,the technical crew and the players had resolved to go for an outright win Ilorin or at least a draw but unfortunately they lost the game.

    ABS FC broke the heart of Heartland as they inflicted a 2-1 defeat on ‘The Naze Millionaires’.

    ABS now have 44 points from 33 games to boost their chances of staying afloat, while Heartland FC are on 45 points.

    ”I’m very sad that we lost the game, we really did well and were expecting to get at least a draw but that’s football, I am sure we will bounce back,” he said.

    Abdulrahman Bashir scored the opener for ABS in 14th minute and Thomas Zenke scored the winner for the Ilorin-based team. Emeka Ogbugh scored Heartland’s consolation goal.

  • HEARTLAND 1-1 3SC: 3SC praise Owerri fans

    HEARTLAND 1-1 3SC: 3SC praise Owerri fans

    • Say they are role model

    3SC’s media officer, Jubril Arowolo has heaped plaudits on the Owerri fans that thronged the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for conducting themselves orderly before, during and after the game despite the fact that the hosts, Heartland were held to a draw by the away team.

    The Ibadan based side lost 0-2 at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex during the first stanza of the league but with their current position not too impressive on the league log the club needed to avoid a defeat at Owerri and they deservedly got it at the end of the encounter.

    Arowolo said the people of Owerri are a typical example of how fans and spectators should reflect how a game should be whether the home team wins or loses. He commended them to keep up their good conduct and that soccer hooliganism would be a thing of the past if fans do not football games as do or die affair.

    “Adepoju put us ahead in the 38th minute and they came back forcefully to equalise in the 54th minute through penalty kick after a foul in our 18 yard box.

    “The home crowd should be praised for their conduct before, during and after the game they are shining example of how home crowd should be in football games,” Arowolo told SportingLife.

    Lucky 3SC of Ibadan eased their relegation worries with a 1-1 draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri against Heartland.

    Taofeek Adepoju put the Oluyole Warriors ahead in the 38th minute before the home team rallied back from the penalty spot through Ikechukwu Ibenegbu in the 54th minute. It was a goal he dedicated to his new kid, Chimamanda.

    3SC have 39 points from 31 games with a game at hand while Heartland moved to 45 points from 32 ties.

  • Dan Anyiam draw tickles 3SC:

    Dan Anyiam draw tickles 3SC:

    • Heartland fans disappointed

    It was celebration galore for Oluyole Warriors Wednesday as the Ibadan based side left the Dan Anyiam stadium with a point in the kitty.

    The eight-time Federation Cup winners who are currently battling to maintain their place in the premier league, had approached the tie with all the seriousness it deserved, an approached with earned them an impressive away goal thanks to Gabriel Adikwu who found the net in the 30th minute.

    The goal passed for a spoiler for teeming Heartland fans that had turned out in large numbers to cheer the Nazi Millionaires to victory. The odds appeared to favour 3SC after the goal as the visitors maintained the tempo and wishing to even run away with a win.

    It was, however, Super Sand Eagles star Ikechukwu Ibenegbu that came to the rescue of the homers in the 57th minute after converting a penalty.

    Prior to Wednesday’s draw the Nazi Millionaires had equally registered a draw against Akwa United away. If Heartland had succeeded in claiming the three points at stake, they would have moved from their current 7th position on the log to the fifth place. The dream of improving on their standing will now have to wait for the next tie against Sharks away and El-Kanemi Warriors at home respectively.

    An elated 3SC did not waste time in celebrating their satisfaction with the result earned in Owerri as captured in their twitter handle ?@oluyolewarriors shortly after the final whistle. “It ended 1-1 against Heartland today at the Dan Anyiam stadium. A vital point for us to escape the drop.”

  • We can’t afford to drop points — Ubido

    We can’t afford to drop points — Ubido

    It will be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the neddle than for 3SC to claim the maximum points at stake against Heartland today at the Dan Anyiam stadium.

    Heartland’s inspirational player Julius Ubido who made the submission in a chat with Sportinglife Tuesday, opined that the Nazi millionaires have had their disappionting moments but are not ready to lose any more points to any team.

    The spirit and resolution in camp despite odds according to him is to approach the remaining matches of the league with utmost concentration to avoid any slip.

    “The truth is that we cannot afford to drop any points to any team . The spirit in camp is high and the determination is there, I am optimistic we will continue to excell in the remaining matches, you will notice that we have been fighting to finish in recent matches. There is nothing to worry about we can’t lose to 3SC’’ he enthused

    Ubido who hailed the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha for supporting the team in their quest to return to the summit of the league where they rightfully belong, He however called for more support for the Nazi Millionaires, insisting that the team has the capacity to win the league giving the needed push.

    ‘’Heartland’s ability is not in doubt, I believe the team can win the league if given maximum support. The governor is trying but we need more support. When you give players the push they are sure to even go beyond expectation. Over coming the points difference on the league table may look difficult but it can be done because in this game you never say it is over until it is really over,’’

  • Heartland want to finish the season strongly — Ndubuoke

    Heartland want to finish the season strongly — Ndubuoke

    Heartland’s Chairman, Fan Ndubuoke has stated that the Naze Millionaires would not be carried away by their new found form after another draw against Akwa United today in a matchday 31 tie played on Wednesday.

    The Owerri side have moved to the eighth position on the log after a rush of three successive wins and four victories from their last five games.

    Ndubuoke told SportingLife that the management of the club has put no pressure on the players and the coaches. He said the players were told they should enjoy the remaining games of the season but that they should ensure that Heartland’s rich history is protected.

    “We have not given them any ultimatum. We don’t even know where Heartland will end up at the end of the season but we are content playing our games and picking valuable points.

    “We thank God that we are gradually overcoming our initial challenges. But the players and coaches must go for the remaining league games to negotiate positive results,” Ndubuoke, a former Sports Writers Association of Nigeria National President, told SportingLife.

  • Madu still tinkering with Heartland

    Madu still tinkering with Heartland

    Heartland chief assistant coach, Ramson Madu has said his side are still work in progress in the ongoing Glo Premier League.

    The three-time Federation Cup winners recorded a heartwarming 1-0 win against newcomers, Bayelsa United in the Glo Premier League Matchday 30 encounter on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    Former Ocean Boys left full-back, Eddy Ongolo scored in the 61st minute to give his side the maximum points to the relief of the coaches and supporters.

    Madu said the lone goal came at the right time to ease the bench a brewing tension over untoward possible split of points on the home ground.

    “I’m always excited for every win and this one is not an exception more so as it was delayed almost to the point you can perceive the tension among the bench and the fans. So it was a huge relief to all of us when the goal came as it spared us of another anguish of home draw or defeat.

    “It was truly a tough game as Bayelsa United threw in everything into the game in their determined effort to salvage something for themselves from the game. We’re happy with the three points though it greatly improved our rating on the log we’re not yet there. Heartland are still work in progress as far as the ongoing league season is concerned.

    “We were there at the top at some point before the set back crept in. Things are gradually settling down though we’re not yet out of it but we’re steadily coming up.

    “We need prayers and support of everybody as we continue the fight for proper placement on the log, the players are giving their best and I strongly believe in no distant time Heartland will take their rightful position once again,” said the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale star to supersport.com.

    The hard earned victory has taken the Naze Millionaires total points to 43 from a possible 90 as they prepare for a short road trip to Uyo to confront Akwa United in mid-week’s Glo Premier League Matchday 31 at the Uyo Township Stadium.