Former Nigerian Under-20 striker, Joshua Obaje, fired Heartland Football Club to its first maximum points in the Globacom Premier League against Bayelsa United in a Week Two encounter at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday, which 2-1 in favour of the home side.
Obaje pounced on a loose ball in front of an indecisive Bayelsa United defence to rifle home the match winner just 10 minutes from full-time.
The line-up of both sides for this big clash had the big names missing, as the coaches of both sides had one thought for this weekend’s engagements in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
But before Obaje’s strike, Heartland FC was stunned just inside the quarter of an hour when Bayelsa United’s forward, Ebimowei Peter, connected with Osas Okoro’s cross to head away the opening goal of the encounter with goalkeeper Austin Brown left stranded.
The Naze Millionaires restored parity inside its home ground on 25 minutes after centre referee awarded the Owerri-based club a questionable penalty, as television replays suggested that the ball did not hit the hand of Bayelsa United’s defender.
Midfielder Uche Agba dispatched the spot kick by sending Bayelsa United’s Benin international goalkeeper, Emmanuel Fabiyi, the wrong way.
In the restart, Heartland FC played dominated its opponent and Fabiyi had to be called to duty on more than three occasions, as he had to keep out the efforts of Obaje and Peter Ambrose.
But Obaje, a former Lobi Stars’ man, proved a handful for the Bayelsa United and finished off the visiting side 10 minutes before regulation time.
Bayelsa United’s goal scorer, Peter, should have earned his side a share of the spoils but failed to convert after he was set up with a one-on-one with Brown just on the dot of regulation time.
In Makurdi, Lobi Stars got off to its first win by defeating Wikki Tourists by a lone goal thanks to Victor Barnabas’ penalty.
However, Garba Lawal, captained Lobi Stars in the home win and played for all 90 minutes.
Ranchers Bees suffered a 0-2 loss to Enugu Rangers. Fred Okpara opened scoring for Rangers after 44 minutes before Damien Udeh doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute.
Kano Pillars and Kwara United played a goalless draw in Ilorin, while Gateway Football Club lost to Zamfara United by a lone goal in Gusau.
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