What does this mean?
Enugu Rangers reclaimed the third spot with 45 points from 27 games. Following the defeat, Heartland remain 18th on the log with 28 points from 27 games. They could slide further if 19th placed Kano Pillars win at home to Kwara United on Sunday.

What’s next?
Enugu Rangers head to Ikenne as guests of Remo Stars while Heartland FC will attempt to grab a third straight home win when they confront league leaders, Rivers United next weekend in Owerri.

Following a nil all draw away to Wikki Tourists, Erasmus Onuh, the Coach of Heartland was emphatic in asserting that the club has recorded tremendous improvement over the course of the season and are on course to avoid relegation.
Heartland followed up an impressive 1-0 win against title contenders, Plateau United with the draw in Kaduna on Matchday 25 against Wikki Tourists and were clearly the better side.
Still mired in the relegation zone, the Owerri side had two great chances to score but couldn’t make it happen, while the Kaura Boys could not muster a shot on goal even when Olawale Tolulope had an empty goal at his mercy inside the box.  He skied his shot missing Wikki’s best chance to win the game. 

Speaking after the match, Onuh , who bagged yellow card just before the match for dissent, said the attitude of the Owerri side has changed and their tactics is based on possessive football and being ready to die for the team. 
“My team has improved tremendously, there is a big improvement from the way we used to play, that is why I didn’t make many changes. The few changes I made was not because someone was not doing well, but for tactical reasons. 
“We will escape relegation. We are on course. It is work in progress and we would see what we can do as the season progresses. It is a difficult job to do, but we would do it. The people who gave me the job trusted me and I want to do my best not to betray that trust. 
“There is a new mindset in our team, the game plan from me is that the team should possess the ball and get ready to die, we should play like soldiers, defend the team with our body, mind, everything. We want to leave that place (relegation zone) and we would do that by going for victory in our next match against Abia Warriors,” the gaffer said. 

Rangers stayed in 3rd after they were forced to a 0-0 draw by visiting Sunshine Stars at the Awka City Stadium while Remo Stars also stayed one point adrift of the Flying Antelopes in 4th after a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United in Jos.

Remo went in front in the 49th minute when club’s top scorer, Andy Okpe finished a fine pass by Qudus Akanni but Nasarawa United replied five minutes later when former junior international King Osanga’s free kick took a deflection before nestling inside the net.
In Kaduna, Kwara United earned their own away point after holding hosts Wikki Tourists to a 1-1 draw. Former CHAN Eagles star Abubakar Aliyu gave Wikki the lead in the 13th minute through a well executed volley. Kwara United however drew level ten minutes from time through Abdulsalam Abdulsalam as Abdullahi Biffo’s men stayed in 5th.
Reigning champions Akwa United continued their unbeaten start to new coach Deji Ayeni’s reign after a creditable 1-1 draw at Gombe United. Adam Yakubu gave Akwa United the lead in the 16th minute but Abdulazeez Yusuf restored parity for the hosts in the 36th minute when he converted from the penalty spot. Neither side could find a winner in the second half.
In a result that mattered for relegation ramification, Abia Warriors played out a 1-1 draw against ten-man Niger Tornadoes in Okigwe. Warriors took the lead through winger Paul Samson whose 20-yard effort beat Tornadoes goalkeeper Lucky Abdullahi but young defender Augustine Njoku inadvertently put Idris Munir’s ball into his own goal. Tornadoes played the last six minute with ten men after left back Gabriel Wassa was dismissed for two bookable offences. Only Dakkada FC and Shooting Stars secured wins on Saturday, the latter giving themselves a huge lift in the relegation battle after a 2-1 win over basement side Heartland in Uyo. Israel Emmanuel gave Dakkada the lead in the 28th minute when he connected Emmanuel Ayaosi’s brilliant cross before captain Aniekan Ekpe doubled their lead with his fourth penalty goal of the season in the 53rd minute. Heartland pulled one back in the 64th minute through Monday Yakubu but could not find a leveller.
In Ibadan, 3SC recorded their biggest win of the season so far after two quick fire goals by striker Emmanuel Lukcy gave them a needed 3-0 win over Lobi Stars in Ibadan. Lucky first pounced on some slothful defending to a set-piece to give his side the lead in the 3rd minute before getting his brace in the 18th minute while heading home another free kick. Substitute Ayo Adejubu then provided gloss to the scoreline ten minutes from time, netting after a solo effort.

Saturday’s results
Gombe United 1-1 Akwa United
3SC 3-0 Lobi StarsKano Pillars 0-0 Katsina United (TBC)Rangers 0-0 Sunshine StarsAbia Warriors 1-1 TornadoesWikki Tourists 1-1 Kwara UnitedDakkada FC 2-1 HeartlandNasarawa United 1-1 Remo Stars
Sunday
Plateau United vs MFM FC
MondayRivers United vs Enyimba

Remo Stars defence refused to blink as Heartland threw every attacking arsenal at them in Owerri on Tuesday in one of the MatchDay 22 fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The nil all draw was an outcome that impressed the Ikenne side’s head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote so much that he didn’t hesitate to hail the performance of the players.
The Sky Blue Stars had won the reverse fixture 3-0 on Matchday 2 in Ikenne but they adopted a cautious approach in Owerri to ensure they at least, shared the points that has consolidated their fourth spot on the table with 36 points. 
Ogunbote in a chat with www.npfl.ng disclosed that he was aware his team was in for a tough game and so detailed his defenders to be alert throughout the game to ensure they have possession of the first and the second balls in their goal area.
“It was a tough game for me to be honest. I expected the tensed atmosphere because of their position in the league table and I prepared my boys for that,” Ogunbote told www.npfl.ng.
“We tried to soak the pressure in the early part of the game and depended on counter attacking to hit them on fast breaks. I told my players to be cautious and take the game easy. We didn’t want to lose the game. I’m happy they played to instructions. We could have won the game had we pushed ourselves a little.
“It was a tough game. We had to give all that we had in the game. I must congratulate the players for their fighting spirit and the commitment they showed from the beginning to the end.”
Ogunbote who has had stints as Manager at Sunshine Stars and Enyimba was not happy with the condition of the turf at Dan Anyiam Stadium and asked the owners of the club to ensure it is put in order so that it won’t continue to affect their getting good results before their fans. 
Ogunbote said that the poor state of the turf made him to inform his players to adopt a cautious approach to avoid needless injuries.
“The stadium’s pitch was a letdown from the time we trained on it before the game. The pitch is not making them to play good football. They need to work on it if they are to start enjoying their home games,” Ogunbote remarked.
Meanwhile back to the game, Heartland with mostly new players were uncoordinated in the final third and they had some careless moments in defence that could have cost them the game.
What does this mean? 
Heartland continued to remain at the bottom of the table with 21 points from 22 games while Remo Stars held on to the fourth spot with 36 points.
What’s next?
Heartland will travel to Uyo to play Dakkada on Saturday date while Remo Stars are going on another away game against Nasarawa United at the New Jos Stadium, Jos. 

Players of Heartland have insisted that they would not back down from their plan not to train or kick the ball until they make their demands known to the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The players also blasted the club’s management led by Promise Nwachukwu over plans to serve them warning letters for act of indiscipline, our impeachable source revealed.

“Things have gone sour in the team as the challenge the players face is the antics the Nwachukwu management have now devised, which was to make the players forget about the five months salary arrears owed them.

“They question why he was purporting lies misinforming the Imo people on radio and television sports programmes that the players are been owed four months salaries instead of nine.

“For the records, Promise Nwachukwu was
the Coordinator of Heartland when Ifeanyi Chukudi was General Manager, and they had prepared the five months salary arrears voucher owed a few of the player for payment. Now, he claims that no NPFL club paid players during the Covid-19 first wave of the pandemic and lockdown, which is not true.

“The players have urged Nwachukwu to speak the truth by going back to the press and tell Imo people that a backlog of 9 months, 6 months and 4 months salaries are been owed them by the management of Heartland.

“By right, the players were to be ones to serve the management a warning letter for poor handling of their welfare and not the latter. The players affirmed that the letters are not meant for them as the management could go ahead to serve their family members such notice.”

They blasted the Nwachukwu leadership of the club off being a failure, as they had breached the contract terms they signed with the players.

“Nwachukwu has now termed the player indiscipline, he forgot that the players have every right to protest as the League Management Company(LMC) states that a player becomes a free agent if he’s owed more than two or three months salaries by his club.

Speaking further, “Key members of the Supporters Club also met with team on Wednesday to discuss on the way forward but the players insisted that they won’t back down as they all questioned why they (the Supporters Club) who regarded themselves as true fans were coming when things have gone sour.”

Akwa United defender Etim Matthew believes that it would be a special win if his side are able to beat Heartland at the Nest of Champions when the two sides clash in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 26 on Thursday.

The Promise Keepers have picked 31 points from their last 15 games which has left them in 2nd position, two points behind leaders Kano Pillars who lost 2-0 to Rivers United on Wednesday.

A win against the Naze Millionaires will catapult Akwa United to the top of the log.

Speaking to newsman ahead of the game with Heartland on Thursday, the Nigeria international said: “It would be important to win, it would be something special for the whole team.

“We know we have the ability to have a great game against Heartland and we’re performing well in the league so we have to take advantage of it.

“The league is quite long and even though there are many contenders, we cannot discuss about it right now. We’ll see at end of the season.”

Finally speaking about coach Kennedy Boboye, he said: “We are all involved in the project and we firmly believe in it because we have full confidence in our coach.”

Etim Matthew who has three caps for Nigeria lists Kaduna United and Rangers as his former clubs.

Umar Abubakar and Khalifa Aminu handed Katsina United a two-goal lead at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Ahmad Hassan set up a tensed home stretch when he reduced the deficit for Pillars.

Heartland defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 thanks to Uzom Testimony’s 19th minute goal.

MFM FC weren’t potent in front of goal and they drew 0-0 against Akwa United.

Kwara United and Warri Wolves settled for a 0-0 draw to wrap up the day’s games.

Akwa United are on top of Group A with four points same with MFM FC. Heartland are third with three points while Lobi Stars are pointless after two games in the second group phase of the competition.

In Group B, Warri Wolves have accumulated four points from two games, Kano Pillars and Katsina United have three points each. At the bottom is Kwara United with one point.

Day 10 Results:

Kano Pillars 1-2 Katsina United

Lobi Stars 0-1 Heartland

MFM FC 0-0 Akwa United

Warri Wolves 0-0 Kwara United.

Day 11 Fixtures – Wednesday 28th April, 2021

Lobi Stars Vs MFM FC

Akwa United Vs Heartland

Kano Pillars Vs Warri Wolves

Katsina United Vs Kwara United

Jubril Isah opened the scoring for Pillars in the 26th minute before Imrana Musa made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

The third goal of the match was scored by Idris Khamus with three minutes left on the clock.

In the second match of the day, Heartland hammered Adamawa United 3-0.

Chikwere Chigaemezu started the rout in the 24th minute. He completed his brace before halftime.

Partner in crime, Ugochukwu Okpara sealed the win for Heartland in the 45th minute of the match.

In the third game of the day, defending champions Kastina United devoured Rivers United 3-0.

Umar Abubakar bagged a double on the 18th and 53rd minutes respectively.

Abubakar Yasir put the beyond Rivers United in the 55th minute.

The NPFL/La Liga U15 Promises tournament continues on Saturday with three games.

Kwara United will battle with Abia Warriors in the first game of the day at 7:30am.

Rangers International have a tricky test with Warri Wolves.

MFM FC versus Plateau United will compete for three points in the final match of the day.

Kwara United will this Sunday face Heartland FC of Owerri in their NPFL week 15 tie with the hope of getting it correctly this time around against the Naze Millionaires.

Heartland were stubborn visitors in their last two visits to Ilorin picking the six maximum points in heartbreaking moments for Kwarans.

But Fidelis Ilechukwu and his wards will be facing a difficult task against a rejuvenated Kwara United side who have been superb so far this season in the Nigerian topflight.

Both teams have met 14 times in competitive games – with the Naze Millionaires winning 8 while the Harmony Boys have 5 wins, as the remaining game ended in draw.

The last time Heartland visited Ilorin was on December 15, 2019 when Christian Pyagbara’s 60th minute goal condemned the Harmony Boys to painful defeat.

Heartland also defeated Kwara United 3-1 in Ilorin on April 19, 2015 while the Harmony Boys’ last win over the Owerri based side was a 1-0 away win on August 11, 2013.

Speaking ahead of the showdown, Coach Abdullahi Biffo admitted that Heartland are one of the best teams in Nigeria, but assured that his men will be getting the 3 points against them on Sunday.

“Heartland have been a good side for years considering their records over us, but we are ready for them and victory is what we will get on Sunday,” Biffo told Kwara United media.

Meanwhile, with 26 points, Kwara United remain on top of the Nigerian Professional League standings, while Heartland occupy 11th after 14 games played so far this term.

Coming into this game off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wikki Tourist FC, Stanley Eguma shuffled his back four in an effort to change the fortunes of his side.

Kazie Enyinnaya, Konan Ruffin and Ifeanyi Anaemena were recalled to the back four while Lookman Binuyo reclaimed his defensive midfield position

Cletus Emotan was in for another NPFL start of the season and instantly caught the eye with the way he took up space between the lines, while Stephen Gopey was his usual ball of industry and energy.

Rivers United made a strong start and, with six minutes on the clock, Bamba Bakari surged forward and pinged a cross into Heartland’s box which fell for Cletus Emotan whose effort was deflected for a corner.

Fortune Omoniwari scuffed a volley just wide on eight minutes as the “Pride of Rivers” went in search of an early goal.

Rivers United kept coming forward, and were soon awarded a penalty when Pascal Eze handled the ball in the area – and Godwin Aguda made no mistake from the spot.

Heartland soon grew into the game and came close themselves when Shedrack Oghali capitilazed on a losse ball but saw his right-footed effort saved by Abiodun Akande in goal for Rivers United.

The Stanley Eguma team showed real heart and no little attacking spark, and could have extended their lead when Godwin Aguda was left in a world of his own but his strike was saved by Ikechukwu Ezenwa to end the half with United in the lead.

As expected, Heartland came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half but, after soaking up some early pressure, Rivers United extended their lead as Kazie Enyinnaya nicely controlled and finished in style a stunning lofty pass from Konan Ruffin. It was no more than Rivers United deserved

Heartland FC reduced the deficit in the 77th minutes when Shedrack Oghali low driven shot off a quickly taken free kick by Samuel Nnoshiri beat Akande in goal for United.

In almost similar fashion, Malachi Ohawume struck the match winner from a quickly taken free kick by Bobby Clement late on to secure all three points in the bag and the fourth win out of five matches in the league this season.

WHAT THE COACHES HAD TO SAY

Stanley Eguma (Rivers United T.A)
“I thank my players, the put up a good effort, I thank God almighty the most important thing and I thank the management too. We were able to win today. We actually prepared for this match very well knowing fully well that Heartland is a strong team especially their most recent game when the played Enyimba. We knew we were going to have a very big fight because it’s a local derby. We expected a very tough game like this and by the grace of God we were able to win.”

“We had to work extra hard to get this three points today. It was a hard earned one. The way Heartland came fighting from all corners and at the end of the day, we rose up to the occasion and pick the three points.”

“It’s a good one for us at least it will also bring back confidence into the team. And especially now that we are going back to the continent to play a continental game, this match is going to raise the moral of the players for us to continue to be in a winning streak, that winning mentality that we return back to play the South African team.”

Christian Obi ( Head Coach Heartland FC)
“Every coach will always be optimistic of victory, so we didn’t bargain it but it came. Well I will attribute it to lack of concentration towards the dieing minutes of the game.”

WHAT IT MEANS
Rivers United remain top it the NPFL table with 12 points from 5 matches

WHAT’S NEXT
Rivers United will return to CAF Confederation Cup action as they travel to Port Novo, Benin Republic to confront Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday 23rd November 2021 by 4pm local time (3pm Nigeria time)

Mayuku Charles
Media Officer
Rivers United FC