Plateau United hits Heartland 5-1 away as Lobi leads despite defeat

Plateau United

It seems that Heartland of Owerri is doomed for relegation this season as the Naze Millionaires continue their woeful performance in the 22-week-old Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) games yesterday.

Heartland were impressive in their 0-1 loss away to league leaders, Lobi Stars, last week and their supporters felt that the gutsy display in Lafia was a sign that they were in for a new beginning starting from this midweek encounter. But rather than an improved performance, the former champions recorded their worst home defeat yesterday when Plateau United beat them 5-1 at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

The sign of the bad things in store for Heartland fans started manifesting from the first minute when the Governor Hope Uzodimma boys failed to get out of their box. And the goals started raining in the 14th minute through Olawale Doyeni. Lawrence Agbor soon (20th) made it 2-0 before Emmanuel Nenrot completed it first half rout 3-0 in the 47th minute.

Heartland put up some resistance in the second half, but Plateau United resumed their goals rush in the 88th minute with another strike by Nenrot before Harrison Ebah made it 5-0 in the 93rd minute.

Heartland reduced the tally in the 94th minute, but it came late as most of their fans had already left the stadium before Onyekachi Okafor’s goal.

The win catapulted Plateau United to second spot on 38 points from 22 games, while Lobi Stars still lead the table on 39 points despite losing 0-2 to Sunshine Stars in Akure. Vincent Temitope (13th minute penalty and 30th minute) was the hero for the Owena Boys.

Enugu Rangers moved to the third spot on 37 points following their 1-0 defeat of Remo Stars through Kenechukwu Agu’s 56th minute goal, while Remo Stars dropped to number