HEARTLAND GOING GOALLESS
Heartland has gone two games without recording a goal in the Glo Premiere League, the team went goalless with sharks on friday.
Though they came up with a fighting spirit and dominated play in the first 25 minutes of the game but Israel Abia failed to convet chances for the host.
Head coach of Sharks, Gbenga Ogunbote started with the likes of Ibrahim Ajani, Ifeanyi Inyam, Chima Akas, Odinga Odinga and Tunde Aremu.
Former Sharks winger Bright Ejike was dropped to the bench as Heartland head coach, Kelechi Emeteole, chose to start with Jolly Osas and Osas Okoro as wingers.
In the 28th minute, former ABS man, Yau Hassan, scored for Heartland and the hosts thought they had taken the lead before the centre referee, Tivkor Thomas, ruled out the goal for offside.
The game simmered into the break with the Blue Angels getting a rare sight at goal against Heartland but have their goalkeeper, Danladi Isah to thank for his performance.
Sharks began the second half stronger and Inyam had a clear sight at goal but had his effort kept out by Heartland goalkeeper, Ebele Obi.
In the 71st minute, Heartland substitute Vincent Amakom went close to scoring for the Owerri club.
Sharks held on until full time to secure a point that ensured they climbed into fourth position on the log with four points.
It is the second time this season that a club from Port
Harcourt have earned a point at the Dan Anyiam
Stadium in Owerri after Dolphins had earlier done
same with a 1-1 draw.
Injured Heartland captain Chinedu Efugh was,
however, of the opinion that his club were unlucky
against Sharks.
“It’s one of those days again in football. But I’ll say it
was hard luck for us,” Efugh, who watched the game
from the stands on Friday.
AKWA UNITED STEERS UP AGAINST KADUNA TIE
Akwa United goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode is
confident his side can beat Kaduna United
in Uyo on Sunday as they try to cement
their position on top of the Premier League.
The Promise Keepers have remained unbeaten after
two rounds of matches and Kayode expects them to
keep the momentum going by claiming all the points
against Kaduna United.
He said the spirit in their camp is high and that they
are all fired up for the match.
He insisted they are looking to sustain their
impressive form through to the end of the season.
“I am confident we’ll beat Kaduna United as I have
never seen the players in a better mood to get the
job done,” Kayode told supersport.com.
“This match has been on our minds since we held
Nasarawa United to a draw in Lafia, and there is no
way they will escape defeat.
“We know that we’re likely to remain on top of the
log if we win and that’s exactly where we want to be.
“We’ve been talking about getting a continental
ticket, but who says we can’t win the title?
“We have started well, but the league is a marathon
and we have to remain consistent to make an impact.
“Kaduna United is a team I respect, but we are
determined to win.
“I don’t see them stopping our fine start to the
season.”
Kayode told supersport.com that they have learned
their lessons from last season when they flirted with
relegation.
“Our fans suffered a lot last season as our
inconsistency almost got us into trouble,” he said.
“We therefore, resolved before the start of the season
to take every match very seriously to avoid being in
such a position again.
“We have the quality to challenge the top sides and
we have to show our intentions by winning matches
like this one against Kaduna United.”
Akwa United are top of the Premier League with four
points, while Kaduna United are sixth with three
points.
PROMISE KEEPERS TO PLAY WITHOUT ATTACKING DUO
Akwa United duo, Utibe Archibong and
Idera Friday will not be available for
selection in the side’s Glo Premier League
match day 3 clash against Kaduna United
on Sunday at the Uyo Township Stadium.
Archibong suffered an ankle injury in their match day
1 tie against Gombe United in Uyo while Friday
picked up a torn ligament at Nasarawa United in Lafia
at the weekend.
Though the side’s technical adviser, Patrick Udoh
expressed discomfort missing their services he
however assured the absence of the twosome will not
hurt their fortune against the Crocodiles.
“We’ll be missing our two key attackers in the
persons of Utibe Archibong and Idera Friday due to
injuries.
“The two are my reliables upfront, I’ll surely miss
their services but I don’t think it’ll have a harmful
effect on our game against Kaduna United on
Sunday.
“I’ve quality bench and will readily get quality
replacements for the two by the time we’ll be
concluding preparations for the match.
“Our preparations are in top gear, we’ve discovered
we’ve to double our efforts if we’re to achieve the
mark we set for ourselves,” said Udoh to
supersport.com.
Udoh said his side expect to win the encounter fairly
on the field of play without any unfair home
advantage whatsoever.
“We’ll maximise our home advantage positively to
win convincingly against Kaduna United.
“We’ll cash in on massive home support, familiarity
of the ground to unsettle the visitors and not look
upon anybody for undue help to win,” said Udoh.
The Promise Keepers have picked four points from
possible six in the two-week old Nigeria top flight.
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