Today, the 1st of May, 2022 Heartland Football Club of Owerri put up a resilient performance as they overcame the Abia Warriors in the Oriental derby decided at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Imo State.
The Naze Millionaires shot to the front first in a match that produced three goals inside the first 35 minutes of the encounter.
Murphy Ndukwe shot the former CAF Champions League finalists in front in 23 minutes and Nonso Nzediegwu made it two minutes later. But the veteran forward, Godwin Obaje, reduced the scoreline for the visitors in the 35th minute, as the home side held strongly and waved off attacks from the visitors to claim the whole three points.
Despite the result, both teams are down at the relegation zone with Heartland sitting on the 17th spot with 28 points from 26 games while Abia Warriors are a step download with 27 points from the same number of games played. Ilorin, Kwara United came from behind to beat the league leaders, Rivers United, 1-0, in a result that did little to affect their position as they remain four points clear at the summit.
In the results of other games played, Katsina United, playing at home, piped reigning champions, Akwa United, 1-0. Lobi Stars defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 at the Aper Aku Stadium, even as Remo Stars got past Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Remo, Abeokuta.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars and Shooting Stars shared the spoils as both teams fired blank. A similar result was recorded in the match between MFM fc and Enugu Rangers in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Despite the results, Rivers United maintain their four-point lead on the table after Plateau United suffered a loss in one of the games played on Saturday. They lost 1-0 to Dakkada FC in Uyo.