Heartland football club gaffer, Coach Christian Obi has assured teaming fans that the process of climbing out of the NPFL table drop zone has just begun and can be achievable following the right process, The statesman Newspaper sports desk can exclusively report.
Obi who relishes the memories of his first NPFL win on Wednesday March 13, 2024 against Abia Warriors at the Awka city stadium in Anambra state, Heartland’s temporary adopted home ground revealed this to the statesman correspondent after the 2-0 victory.
The Naze millionaires ended their nine game winless streak with a superb 2-0 outclassing of Abia Warriors in another oriental derby that has been dominated by the visiting team.
The last time the Owerri side secured a win was against Remo Stars in Owerri on Matchday 16 fixture that ended 3-1 under short lived coach Kennedy Boboye.
However, Christian Obi led Heartland FC gave a glimpse of what to expect against Abia Warriors when they travelled to Katsina to face the Chanji Boys. They were a few more minutes from recording a famous away win before the controversial ending.
But against Abia Warriors, the Coach Obi tutored side showed their true intent of climbing out of the drop zone on the field of play with an emphatic win.
20th minutes curtain raiser from Onyedikachi Okafor and 24th minutes header from Ikechukwu Mgbemena secured the much anticipated Naze millionaires win.
One of the highlights of the second half was the straight red cards given to Heartland’s Andrew Abalogu and Ijoma Antoine in the 59th minute. Abalogu had reacted angrily to the tackle from Antoine on Ikechukwu Mgbemena and it drew the attention of the centre referee who didn’t hesitate in giving them the marching orders after establishing what happened.
In his post match reactions, the elated and relieved gaffer, Coach Christian Obi told the Statesman Newspaper correspondent, that the process of climbing out of relegation zone has began in earnest and is achievable if given the right support.
He thanked everyone who offered support and assured fans that the process of climbing out has begun.
In his exact words Coach Obi said;
‘The Almighty God has done it, the Jinx has been broken and I’m excited and I want to use this opportunity to thank everybody that contributed to this success, I want to commend you all.
We are climbing the ladder and you know climbing the ladder has a process so we will take it one step at a time .” Obi Said.
Success they say ‘comes with a lot of friends’ and once again Imolites has expressed renewed faith in Coach Obi and also renewed hope of Heartland surviving relegation once again.
In another news Heartland’s next game is against Rivers United in Port Harcourt United on Sunday. The game was moved from the initial Saturday schedule and will now be played on Sunday.
Heartland have moved a spot from the shores of relagation as they now occupy the 19th position on the log.
