Heartland FC break jinx, overcome Tornadoes in Owerri

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri

Heartland FC of Owerri, Sunday broke the jinx of losses since the ongoing 2024/2025 NPFL season began by beating their North Central rivals, Niger Tornadoes of Minna 2–0.

The week 5 match between Heartland and Niger Tornadoes, decided at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, marked the Naze Millionaires first victory since the league commenced.

Following a brilliant start with unceasing pressure, Heartland’s Michael Ogu a.k.a. White scored the first goal of the match in the 20th minute of play.

Ogu’s curtain raiser from a left flank cross hit the yawning net to beat the visitor’s goalkeeper, Emmanuel Iwu, a former Heartland shot stopper, now playing for the Bago Boys of Minna as he appeared caught unawares and standing flat footed to watch Ogu’s terrific shot enter the net.

Apparently startled by the early goal, the Minna boys after became charged and agitated and fought like wounded lions in desperate search for an equalizer, that never came.

Playmaker of the Tornadoes, Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai tried dominating midfield play at some points but they met a stiff opposition from the Heartland defense marshalled by the team’s captain of the match and winner of the maiden Imo SWAN’s Heartland FC Player of the Month of September 2024, award, Peter’s Afolayan.

The first 45minutes of play ended 1-0 in favour of the Naze Millionaires as they were able to hold on to the one goal lead until the end of the first half.

In the second half, Heartland boys intensified their onslaught against the visitors and dictated play with good ball possession, control and distribution that eventually paid off in 60th minute when Christian Molokwu sent a terrific pass to Michael Ogu on the far right and he wasted no time to break the opponent’s net for a second goal.

The 60th minute goal rattled the Bago Boys as they became desperate to reduce the tally, while Heartland players battled restlessly to maintain the lead without conceding any goal.

The battle for supremacy continued until in the 87th minute when Heartland’s goalkeeper, Ebuka Nwokocha made a save in what may have resulted to a goal for the visitors in his goal area.