NPFL: Heartland eager to extend unbeaten run to six games

Emmanuel Amuneke’s Heartland are eager to extend their unbeaten run to six games in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, when they take on Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin on Wednesday.

The Naze Millionaires are the form team in the NPFL after three wins and two draws in their last five games and will be looking to secure another away win to move them into the top half of the table.

Heartland have not beaten Kwara United both at home and on the road in over two years with the Ilorin outfit taking five of the six points on offer last season after bashing the Naze Millionaires 4-0 in Ilorin last June after drawing 1-1 in Owerri in January.

Two years ago, the Afonja Warriors also picked five points after winning 2-1 in Ilorin and drawing 0-0 in Owerri.

Heartland are however upbeat that their unbeaten run will continue in Ilorin.

Assistant Coach, Emmanuel Olowo and Tobi Iyanda are confident they will get a positive result in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Olowo, a legend of the club, a former player of Kwara United and now an assistant coach said the Owerri side have had a good preparation for the game and are expecting a tough game in Ilorin which they will be able to surmount.

‘As a team we are prepared as usual and looking at the runs of Heartland FC it will tell you how prepared are the players for the task ahead. We are ready to compete,’ Olowo said.

‘The fixture has always been fascinating in the past and previously we have had points here and I believe tomorrow won’t be an exception.

‘Before the last season’s game we already knew we were relegated but Kwara United needed the game to remain in the premier league. We came into the game too casual but this season is a different ball game. We just need to climb up little by little and definitely we are going to give it all.’

Midfielder Iyanda was in the team that was flogged 4-0 by Kwara United but he told the club’s media that things have changed and that they are looking forward to a favourable result in Ilorin on Wednesday.

‘I played against Kwara United last season and the game was a tough one even though we lost to them 4-0 we still gave a good fight. This season the players are in top shape and with the couple of tough games we have played recently we are ready to fight,’ Iyanda said.

‘We understand that this game will do a big exploit to us and keep us save ahead of our subsequent games.

‘I see us moving to the top half of the table at the end of tomorrow’s game. We know it is a gradual process. We keep our heads up hoping that we will do well.

‘I will say my fans in Ilorin should come all out to support us and I love you guys.’