Heartland FC will take the search for their first win of the season to the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure where they are guest of Sunshine Stars on Saturday October 14th, 2023 in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Three ties.
The Naze Millionaires got a 2-2 draw at home to Lobi Stars before the close 1-0 defeat to Plateau United in Jos in the league games they have played this season. The Owerri have all to play for in Akure knowing that barely three seasons ago they got a morale boosting draw at the same venue.
Heartland FC returned to Owerri from Jos on Tuesday after having a brief stop over at Otukpo, Benue State on Monday and the team had two training sessions on Wednesday to prepare for the game. The team headed to Akure on Thursday and will have the mandatory training session at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure on Friday at the official kick off time.
The Owerri side’s build up to the weekend league game has been very seamless and without hitches and it is expected that the team would translate it to success on Saturday in Akure. The support from the Imo State Government led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma through the Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo has been very massive.
Speaking to Heartland FC Media, the head coach, Heartland FC, Christian Obi tasked his players to be willing to take risks for the good of the team as they file out on Saturday against Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Obi who regretted a couple of near misses his team fluffed in Jos against Plateau United stated that with a little extra push, they could have left the Jos Road Stadium, Jos with at least a point.
He charged his players to perfect the errors noticed in the opening two games and ensure they play with everything they have with the zeal to return to Owerri with at least point if they are unable to claim the maximum points.
“I will say that the Plateau United boys were more determined than our boys. Their loss at Ibadan to Shooting Stars motivated them into playing the way they did. If they had dropped more home points against us,.it would have been a disaster from their own side. They were quicker to the ball than our boys it contributed to them having an edge over us in the game,” Obi said.
“European players take risks to achieve their aim of scoring. Patrick Nwogbaga was close to scoring for us. He would have have hit target with a little more effort.
“We have identified some of our problems in our last game and we are working on those areas. If we put things in order and correct our mistakes, we will get at least a point there.”
The former Flying Eagles goalkeeper to the 1983 FIFA U20 World Cup in Mexico confirmed the unavailability of Fabian Omaka and Rolland Koffi who are presently nursing injuries but disclosed that he has capable replacement to take their places.
“We have a few injuries here and there but the most important thing is that they are recovering. Fabian Omaka is out he is recovering and still on medication. Rolland Koffi is still on treatment table as well,” Obi added.
“We have other players around. Frank Erikan came in and he contributed his quota to the team. He didn’t do badly.”
Last Five Matches Between Sunshine Stars and Heartland FC
2-7-2022 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars
2-3-2022 Sunshine Stars 3-1 Heartland
4-7-2021 Heartland 0-1 Sunshine Stars
21-2-2021 Sunshine Stars 1-1 Heartland
2-2-2020 Heartland 1-0 Sunshine Stars
