The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Heartland

  • Heartland pip Wikki, get second away win

    Heartland pip Wikki, get second away win

    Heartland of Owerri have beaten Wikki Tourists 1-0 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi in a Glo Premier League matchday 29 tie to further steer the Naze Millionaires off the relegation zone.

    Uchenna Orisakwe’s first half strike lifted the Owerri side further on the league table to 40 points from as many matches and the defeat put a spanner in the works of Wikki’s ambition to retain their place in the elite division next season.

    The match was another closed door session as the club are still under a ban for the unruly behaviour of their fans in the home loss to El Kanemi Warriors during matchday 22 in Bauchi. They are to play their remaining home matches without the comfort of their supporters.

    Heartland’s Assistant Chief Coach, Ramson Madu told SportingLife on phone that he was thrilled that the Naze Millionaires got all points away from home. He however charged the players to be cautious about the way they celebrate the feat because they have other important matches ahead.

    “I am happy that we secured an away win. This is my third game after I returned from suspension and I thank God for this feat.

    “We shouldn’t however over-celebrate it with other key fixtures in front,” Madu told SportingLife.

  • Udoh relieved to get season’s opener

    Udoh relieved to get season’s opener

    •Says Heartland won’t go on relegation

    Heartland’s Kingsley Udoh has said he was relieved to have scored his first goal of the season after he nodded the Naze Millionaires to the path of glory in their 2-0 home win over Kano Pillars last Wednesday.

    Udoh, a former U-17,U-20 and U-23 international, got Heartland’s curtain raiser against the league reigning champions according to the match report of the centre referee, S.N Okobi from Edo State against the report in the media that Happy Okuoka got the opening goal in the third minute before ex-Flying Eagles’ star, Bright Ejike sealed the win with the second goal five minutes from time.

    Speaking to SportingLife, Udoh said he was very happy to find the back of the net after a long time this season adding that the goal gave the Naze Millionaires the lift and willpower to have the self belief that Pillars were beatable.

    “I am happy that I scored a goal this season. It was my goal because Okuoka was nowhere near the ball when I nodded the ball in. I hope to get more goals before the season ends. It has been a very tough season for us but we are happy to beat Kano Pillars.

    “I was thrilled to have scored that early because it was the goal we needed to keep us ahead of Pillars. We won’t have issues with relegation by God’s grace. We shall target another fine result at Bauchi as we seek a soft landing out of the drop zone,” Udoh said.

    Heartland are 14th on the log with 37 points from 28 matches.

  • Rejuvenated Heartland lament Ibenegbu’s injury

    Rejuvenated Heartland lament Ibenegbu’s injury

    Heartland, still basking in the euphoria of their home victory against Kano Pillars, are looking forward to consolidating when they face Wikki Tourists in the next game in Bauchi.

    The Nazi millionaires returned smiles to the faces of their fans on Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam stadium after running away with a 2-0 victory that earned them a lot of ovation plus cash rewards. The victory is seen as a big relief for the Owerri landlord whose confidence has hit the roof top ahead of the tie against Wikki.

    The only headache, however, is the absence of impressive midfielder Bartholomew Ibenegbu who has been sidelined by a groin injury.

    The club had informed that “Mosquito as Ibenegbu is fondly called will be out of the Week 29 fixture and sometime after that due to groin injury”

    The remaining players have, however, vowed to give the match the seriousness it deserves with a view to getting good result and further using the match to wish Ibenegbu a quick return.

    The victory against Kano Pillars shot Heartland’s total points to 37 from a possible 84 and a chance improvement from their hitherto 17th position prior to Week 28 games.

  • Heartland pocket N1.3m after Pillars win

    Heartland pocket N1.3m after Pillars win

    • Thank Governor, others for support
    • Deputy Governor showers players 600k
    • Club Chairman splashes 750k

    Heartland of Owerri got three points at home against Kano Pillars and thereafter pocketed one million and three hundred and fifty thousand naira(NI,0350,000) donated to them by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere and club’s Chairman, Fan Ndubuoke.

    It was all smiles and exchange of banters in Owerri the Imo State capital as Heartland who have been submerged in series of defeats, rose to the occassion to hammer their opponents 2-0 at the Dan Anyiam stadium on Wednesday.

    The Naze Millionaires who were a spot from the relegation zone before the match knew they needed a win to steer clear of the drop zone and quickly settled down to business when they got the first goal in the second minute through Happy Okuoka.

    The Owerri side kept on the momentum and it paid of when they got the second goal in the 85th minute through Bright Ejike.

    The Nazi Millionaires who have become the subject of bashing in recent times, following what most of their fans dubbed their inability to re- discover their winning spirit, thanked top government officials who had made time from their busy schedules to grace the match and cheer the side to victory.

    “Big thanks to everyone, the Deputy Governor and his entourage for coming to cheer the team to victory against league leaders; Kano Pillars” the club happily posted on twitter soon after the final whistle .

    After three home defeats to Nembe City, Enyimba and Kwara United, the 2012 Federation Cup champions were eager to avoid further home defeats and the fans turned out in large numbers to ensure they offer the needed support.

    Wednesday’s result did not only come as a relief but is considered as a push for the Owerri landlords.

    Prior to the tie, Heartland forward Abdul Haruna had predicted that the side will throw all the arsenals in their armory to avoid another defeat. “We can’t afford to lose any other home game for the remainder of the season .Our position on the log is not encouraging,” he said.

  • Haruna: Another home loss will wreck Heartland

    Haruna: Another home loss will wreck Heartland

    Heartland forward, Abdul Haruna has said his side are dead with another home defeat in the remainder of the ongoing 2012/13 Glo Premier League season.

    The 2012 Cup winners have already suffered three home defeats to newcomers, Nembe City, Enyimba and Kwara United and will entertain table-toppers, Kano Pillars today at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    The Pyramid City side pipped the Naze Millionaires 1-0 in the first fixture eventually decided at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja after crowd violence and stalement in Kano.

    Haruna, who did not partake in his side’s 0-1 loss to Lobi Stars in Katsina-Ala on Sunday in Week 27 tie due to a minor ankle knock picked in training prior to the Lobi game, said his side will be a dead duck should they fail to pocket the three maximum points against leaders, Pillars.

    “We can’t afford to lose any other home game for the remainder of the season except we’re courting our own death. Our position on the log is not encouraging, we need the whole points we can amass including the encounter against Pillars to improve our lot.

    “Pillars are a good and ambitious side, I think we’ve always known how to unsettle them. I’m 100% fit for the game on Wednesday (today) and how happy will I be to score the match winner against my former side.

    “Heartland will certainly overcome their trying period and bounce back to take their rightful place on the log,” said the Beach Eagles forward to supersport.com.

    The Owerri-based side occupy the 17th spot on the 20-team elite league on 34 points from a possible 81.

  • Heartland are battle-ready, says Ubido

    Heartland are battle-ready, says Ubido

    DESPITE fears that Heartland’s recent string of defeats will haunt them again today against visiting Kano Pillars, Julius Ubido, says the Naze Millionaires are fully prepared and ready to cliam the three points at stake.

    The side, according to him, have since put aside the disappointsments of defeats and forged ahead, adding that preparation ahead of the tie has been impressive.

    “Our preparation has been good and we are looking forward to the clash,” he said.

    Heartland, who failed in their bid to defend their Federation Cup title, have suffered three home defeats to the disappointment of their fans. After losing to Nembe, Kwara United and Enyimba at home, the Owerri Landlords insist the time has come to turn the tables beginning with the Pillars game today.

    “We have had our challenges but we are set to get back to winning ways,” he added.

    He also called on the team’s fans to come out in their numbers to support the team at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

    A win for the Naze Millionaires will see the side shoot their points to 37 points and a possible push up the ladder where they are currently occupying a disappointing 17th position

  • Lobi mobilise 15,000 fans to beat Heartland

    Lobi mobilise 15,000 fans to beat Heartland

    FOR THE third time, fans of Lobi Stars will watch their darling club free at the Chief Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala as the Makurdi side seek three points in a matchday 27 tie with Heartland of Owerri.

    Making this known through the club’s head of media, Jack Moses Ekwe Ekwe, Lobi’s Vice Chairman, Dominic Mtem Iorfa disclosed that the former league champions have mobilised over 15,000 fans to back the team ahead of the all-important tie against the Naze Millionaires.

    Lobi had thrown their last two home matches against 3SC and Sunshine open to their fans as a token of their appreciation for their support through their hard times. Both games ended 1-0 apiece in the Makurdi sides’ favour.

    Iorfa also noted that security within, outside and the environs within the stadium has been beefed up to ensure that their visitors have the best of time during and after the game billed for 4pm today.

    Iorfa dedicated the club’s impressive run in the Federation Cup before their exit in the semi final to their supporters and has urged them to come out to give them maximum support as they try to negotiate their way out of the drop zone.

    The former Super Eagles and QPR of England’s striker stated that Lobi’s fans and supporters would troop in from Makurdi, Gboko, Katsina Ala and Zaki Bian and so on, all in an attempt to cheer the club to victory.

    “Our supporters have been our 12th man on the pitch in all the games we have played this season. We credit them highly for all they have done for the club. We have another tasking game at home to Heartland and they must come out to support us to victory.

    “We are projecting over 15,000 fans for tomorrow(today’s) clash but if they are more than that, there is nothing wrong with it. We are expecting our fans from Gboko, Katsina Ala, Makurdi and other areas to come and cheer us to victory. We did it against 3SC and Sunshine and achieved maximum points. We don’t want this one to be different,” Iorfa said to SportingLife as quoted by club’s media officer, Jack Moses.

    Lobi are last on the log with 32 points from 26 games but they will climb up the ladder of the log with maximum points.

    Meanwhile, Heartland of Owerri have expressed confidence that the renewed spirits in the Naze Millionaires’ fold would guarantee them at least a point in their league tie against Lobi today.

    The club’s media officer, Cajetan Nkwopara told SportingLife that they are not bothered by the Lobi’s build up to the game but stressed that the Owerri side would be focused throughout the duration of the game as they search for points both home and on the road to improve their league fortunes on the log.

    Heartland have lost three games at home this season against Nembe City, Enyimba and Kwara United but gained an away win in Ibadan against 3SC and a draw at Warri Wolves besides the 11 wins recorded at home this season.

    They are 14th with 34 points from 26 games.

  • Lobi turn attention to Heartland

    Lobi turn attention to Heartland

    Barely 48 hours after they lost to Enyimba in the semi final of the Federation Cup, Lobi Stars have shifted attention to their survival battle in the Glo Premier League.

    The Makurdi side are last in the league with 32 points from 26 games, and with a tie against Heartland of Owerri on Sunday at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala, Lobi’s Barnabas Imenger Jnr has expressed optimism that the Naze Millionaires will fall.

    Imenger, who recently got a recall to the senior national team, said he is positive Lobi are properly positioned to break their opponents for the maximum points.

    The son of a former Super Eagles striker said: “God will crown our hard work with triumph over Heartland and our other opponents. We deserve a turnaround after some turbulent results.

    “We must stick together as a team and wait for the right time to pounce. Heartland are beatable. This we must have in mind.”

  • HEARTLAND recall; We’ve been vindicated – Madu, Chukwu

    HEARTLAND recall; We’ve been vindicated – Madu, Chukwu

    Recalled officials of Heartland of Owerri, Ramson Madu and Tonnex Chukwu have both said that the Naze Millionaires’ decision to reinstate them to their duty posts shows that they were not culpable in the first place.

    Madu, an Assistant Coach at the Owerri-based club, and Chukwu, the Head of Protocol, were recently suspended and a panel of inquiry set up to look into the problems troubling the Premier League side.

    The panel submitted its findings to the management of Heartland last Sunday and both individuals, hitherto suspended, were asked to return on Tuesday.

    Chukwu, in a brief chat, explained that he was happy to have been cleared of any complicity by the panel. He said he would go back as directed and strive to bring his experience to bear to ensure that Heartland get the deserved recognition in the remaining games of the season.

    “Yes, I was informed that I had been recalled and that the panel of inquiry cleared me of any wrongdoing.

    “I knew I would be vindicated,” Chukwu said.

    His colleague, Madu was also grateful to God that everything had been sorted out and promised to do his bit to ensure that Heartland finish in a comfortable position on the league table.

  • Suspended Heartland coaches know fate Tuesday

    Suspended Heartland coaches know fate Tuesday

    Heartland of Owerri will clear the air on the suspension of their technical crew in the next 24 hours, a top official of the club has hinted.

    The Naze Millionaires placed their entire coaches on compulsory leave after their last home loss to Kwara United, but the chairman of the club, Fan Ndubuoke told sports journalists in Owerri shortly after the club’s 1-0 home win over Dolphins that they would make the fate of the suspended coaches public on Tuesday.

    He frowned at the report making the rounds that the club are without structure and direction because of the recent string of poor results.

    “We have not hired any technical adviser. Don’t forget that we only suspended our coaches and there is nothing that says that after meeting with government officials we should not recall the coaches if we discover that they are not the problem. We have to agree with the government on what the problem is.

    “What we did was a temporary measure we took by the management to see how we can wake everybody, so that the slide shouldn’t continue. But if we find out that they are the problem, they will remain as they are. A decision on this will be taken in the next 48 hours (from Sunday night).