A last-minute
goal from Saibou Badarou ensured that Heartland won 1-0 at home to oriental rivals Enyimba on
Saturday - a result that catapulted the Owerri side to a first Nigeria Premier
League win of the season.
The match was heading for a draw when the Togolese import turned beautifully in the box to fire the Naze Millionaires to a priceless lead in the dying moments. Badarou’s winner left Heartland with 9 points in 9 matches. It was his third league goal of the season.
CHAN Eagles defender, Bright Esieme was again benched by Enyimba's boss Zachary Baraje. He sat out the 3-0 win in Aba against Lobi Stars. The duo of Sibi Gwar and Femi Thomas were not listed by the People's Elephants.
Heartland gaffer Kelechi Emeteole, who was searching for his first win of the season made two changes from the team that played a 1-1 draw at Nembe City in mid-week. Rufus Ebue took the place of Kingsley Ajaero who was left out of the match day team, while Emeka Ogbugh started and Kabiru Waziri dropped to the bench.
Heartland's failure to make the most of their early dominance almost caught up with them but the agile Ebele Obi denied the away team.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, box-to-box midfielder Julius Ubido forced Enyimba keeper Paul Godwin into a sharp reflex save.
The second 45 minutes began with Ebele Obi unable to continue due to an injury he sustained before recess. He was replaced by youngster Emmanuel Iwu, who was given a baptism of fire.
With the clocking ticking down, however, Badarou stepped up to the mark, sending his 89th minute drop goal over to hand Caterpillar’s men a long-awaited win.
Badarou’s late dramatic goal was a reward for coach Emeteole's faith in investing in his playing skills after the mass exodus in the team.
Heartland:
Ebele Obi (Emmanuel Iwu 46'), Rufus Ebue, Zoumana Doumbia, Chinedu
Efugh (Bright Ejike 80'), Nelson Ogbonnaya, Orji Kalu Okagbue, Emeka
Ogbugh, Julius Ubido, Saibou Badarou, Rolland Koffi, Jolly OsasThe match was heading for a draw when the Togolese import turned beautifully in the box to fire the Naze Millionaires to a priceless lead in the dying moments. Badarou’s winner left Heartland with 9 points in 9 matches. It was his third league goal of the season.
CHAN Eagles defender, Bright Esieme was again benched by Enyimba's boss Zachary Baraje. He sat out the 3-0 win in Aba against Lobi Stars. The duo of Sibi Gwar and Femi Thomas were not listed by the People's Elephants.
Heartland gaffer Kelechi Emeteole, who was searching for his first win of the season made two changes from the team that played a 1-1 draw at Nembe City in mid-week. Rufus Ebue took the place of Kingsley Ajaero who was left out of the match day team, while Emeka Ogbugh started and Kabiru Waziri dropped to the bench.
Heartland's failure to make the most of their early dominance almost caught up with them but the agile Ebele Obi denied the away team.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, box-to-box midfielder Julius Ubido forced Enyimba keeper Paul Godwin into a sharp reflex save.
The second 45 minutes began with Ebele Obi unable to continue due to an injury he sustained before recess. He was replaced by youngster Emmanuel Iwu, who was given a baptism of fire.
With the clocking ticking down, however, Badarou stepped up to the mark, sending his 89th minute drop goal over to hand Caterpillar’s men a long-awaited win.
Badarou’s late dramatic goal was a reward for coach Emeteole's faith in investing in his playing skills after the mass exodus in the team.
Enyimba: Paul Godwin, Markson Ojobo, Bassey Ezekiel, Raheed Olabiyi, Udoji Chinedu, Madu, Mfon Udoh, Kingsley Sokari (Ayo Saka 55'), Abdulrahman Bashir (Boumsong 67'), Kamaldeen Sikiru, Andrew Abalogu (Daniel Etor 90')
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