Abiodun Akande’s goalkeeping heroics in the second half kept away a resurgent Heartland Football Club of Owerri for hosts Shooting Stars Sports Club to win 1-0 on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports he made saves to rescue the hosts from the visiting side, which came out battling in the second half.
In the Match Day 4 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, Heartland FC, who have had an unimpressive start to the season before the match, were a surprise package.
They had the Lekan Salami Stadium crowd with their hearts in their mouths most of the time, looking dominant.
The game had started in an end-to-end fashion with both sides deploying long ball tactics, as the hosts lacked the needed creativity in the middle.
The visitors did well to contain them with dangerous counter-attacks through the flanks, but they were not crisp with their passes when in the final third.
But 3SC did well to utilise the advantage they got in the 21st minute.
This was when Samuel Ayanrinde ran on to a flick from the middle into the left edge of Heartland FC’s penalty area.
Ayanrinde only needed to control the ball and blast into the net for the only goal that came to settle the game.
Heartland FC were more on the forefoot in the second half, with prompt substitutions that looked likely to be rewarding.
But with Akande’s heroics and poor finishing holding them back, they could only keep the hosts’ fans on the terraces looking bemused and wishing for the final whistle.
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NAN reports that 3SC are now eighth with five points from three matches, having won one match and drawn two and scored three goals and conceded two.
They have an outstanding match which will be played on Wednesday in Benin against hosts Bendel Insurance FC, before they head to Lafia to face hosts Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.
Heartland FC have only one point from four matches, with a draw and three losses and are 18th on the 20-club log having scored only two goals and conceded seven.
NAN reports that Remo Stars of Ikenne are still holding on to their spot at the top of the league table, as they remain unbeaten after four matches for 12 points.
They beat visiting Rangers International of Enugu 2-1, while Rivers United of Port Harcourt trail them with 10 points from four matches after beating Enyimba International of Aba 2-0.
Match Day 4 results in 2024/2025 NPFL
River United FC 2-0 Enyimba international FC
El Kanemi Warrior FC 2-2 Plateau United FC
Bayelsa United FC 1-1 Kwara United FC
Abia Warriors FC 2-0 Kano Pillars FC
Niger Tornadoes FC 1-1 Bendel Insurance FC
Remo Stars FC 2-1 Enugu Rangers international FC
Katsina United FC 3-0 Lobi Stars FC
Shooting Stars FC 1-0 Heartland FC.
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