By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
Heartland Football Club at the weekend, in a dramatic twist of fate, bounced back from 2-1 down in the second half to win Nasarawa United FC 3-2 in the MatchDay 15, Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Sunday.
The game which commenced at 4pm with high expectations on the host team, the Naze Millionaires witnessed a manifest intent to carry the day.
In the 15th minute of the match, a long throw from acclaimed Heartland’s throw specialist, Christian Nkwo, into the Solid Miners’ penalty area was smartly converted into a by Promise Anyanwu to record his first goal of the season.
Apparently jolted by the early goal, Nasarawa United upped their game with intensive attacks and unceasing pressure in the goal are of Heartland FC and succeeded in creeping their way back into the game with a shocking equalizer just in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
The Solid Miner’s Anas Yusuf capitalized on a yawning gap in the defence of the hosts to pull the ball into net after a well-coordinated striking which threw the Heartland defenders off balance.
With the superb equalizer, which silenced the Heartland faithful, the visitors comfortably moved into the first half break with a1-1draw.
The visitors poised to cause an upset, intensified their offensives in goal area of the Owerri side until their efforts paid off in the 85th minute with a goal by Garba Abubakar.
Heartland’s defense faltered under pressure, allowing Garba Abubakar to pounce and slot the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Nasarawa United a 2-1 advantage and piling frustration onto the Owerri side.
Despite the frustrating lead by the visitors, Heartland boys refused to throw in the towel but rather launched massive offensive in a desperate bid to return to the game.
Fruits of the determined efforts of the Naze Millionaires in the 88th minute when another of Nkwo’s pinpoint long throws found Surajudeen Lawal who made no mistake, smashing the ball into the net for an equalizer at 2-2.
Heartland’s relentless pressure finally broke Nasarawa’s back in the 92nd minute as Nkwo’s devastating long throw for the third time proved decisive and end the game in favour of the host team.
Defender Christian Molokwu showcased composure and ingenuity and flipped the ball into the net to secure a sensational 3-2 victory for the Owerri side.
The final whistle threw the large crowd of Heartland fans into wild jubilation as the dramatic win kept their team in 10th place on the NPFL standings with 20 points.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa United remained rooted to the foot of the table with just 15 points just as they look forward to changing their standing when they host Lobi Stars at home in Lafia.
Meanwhile, Heartland will travel to Jos for a challenging encounter against Plateau United, in the next week of the NPFL encounters.
