BY SAB OSUJI, In Asaba
Promise Nwachukwu, Heartland General Manager, fell down on his two knees, supported with both hands on the tartan tracks, with his face down, tears flowed from his ‘pussy cat’ eyes.
He was physically present at Stephen Keshi Stadium at the moment but obviously spiritually far away.
He was lost of the big achievement he had propelled the to achieve. He couldn’t even imagine it.
Yusuf Ibrahim, the referee from Jigawa State referees Association had just sounded his final whistle in the final match of the Southern Conference of the Super 8 playoffs. Heartland 2-1 Sporting Lagos!
Incredible result, huge resilience, thriller of extraordinary quality! What a way to end a gritty campaign! Truly, when fate decrees, mortals Labour in vain to effect a change; for, in the end, what will be, will be!
Sporting Lagos were already through to the Premiership going into the game. With six maximum points, they would have nothing to play for except pride. Heartland needed just a draw to complete their journey back to the elite league. But that’s on the assumption that EFCC defeats or drew against DMD over there at,Jay Jay Okocha Stadium, Ogwashi-Ukwu.
With both games starting simultaneously, it looked as though both teams were out there merely to ‘enjoy’ themselves.
But just 13 minutes after kick off, the ‘Blues’ from Lagos, like the rattle snake, stung the Naze Millionaires. Heartland already 1-0 behind! Coach Christian Obi charges then realised they were in for trouble. They surged forward in numbers, looking for an instant response. Afterall, he who’s down, fears no fall.
Nine minutes before the break, Erikan Francis drilled an effort from inside the area during a goalmouth melee. Goalkeeper Christian Nwoke went for it but a clumsy clearance from a defender saw the ball hit the Pillar and ricocheted of the back of the goalkeeper and into the net, 1-1!! Down there at Ogwasi-Ukwu, it was MD 2-0 at this time as all the teams retired into the dressing room for the half time break.
After the break, it became a ‘box-to-box’ affair, no dull moment on either side. Sporting Lagos were more sleepy, creative, more adventurous and purposeful, never pulling off the pedal. But experience counted massively for Heartland. They defended frantically with ‘evergreen’ captain, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, like a field marshal, leading from behind. They tightly screwed their heads onto their necks, cutting every blade of the grass against the rampant Sporting,Lagos ceaseless forays.
Coach Christian Obi made a tactical decision, bringing on pacy forward, Chidiebere Ajoku to add bite and pace to his attack. Ajoku’s entry reduced the freedom with which Sporting defenders surge forward to join attack.
It worked out for him, perfectly. On the dot of 70 minutes, Ajoku outpaced the Sporting backline, goalkeeper undecided early enough on whether to rush out, and Ajoku was left with the simplest task of hauling the ball into the bottom right corner, Heartland 2-1 Sporting Lagos!! At this point, it was already 4-0 in Ogwashi-Ukwu.
The stadium came back alive with Heartland Supporters raising their voices and drums. The last 20 minutes, as well as the four additional minutes, looked like 24hours. But the ecstatic Owerri Drummer Boys endured, singing and drumming while ‘Captain Fantastic’, Nnaemeka Anyanwu held their ground for a famous 2-1 win, a result that guaranteed Heartland a SAFE TRIP back to the Premier League.
Heartland thus finished first in the Southern Conference and would confront Northern Conference winners, Kano Pillars, in Friday’s Champion of Champions final match.
Heartland, thus, joins Kano Pillars, Katsina United and Sporting Lagos in qualifying for the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier League.
