Heartland wins Super Four
by Ibitoye Shittu 12 January 2013, 19:34
Heartland FC have won the Super Four championship after beating Lobi Stars 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofarmata, Kano on Saturday.
The Naze Millionaires however rubbished what would be the scoreline of the second duel between champions, Kano Pillars and last season's NPL runners-up, Enugu Rangers as the Owerri-based club ended on seven points.
It was Lobi Stars who started firmly on the front foot in the opening quarter, applying plenty of pressure and looking instantly more lively.
Lobi Stars' Moses Orkuma tested Heartland's goalkeeper, Chinedu Udeh when sent clear into a promising position, but the goalkeeper made a superb save of the game in the 20th minute parrying well from Moses' fluked effort.
Udeh again made another save as he one on one denied Lobi Stars' Osas Aigbe and the first half ended stalemate.
On resumption, Lobi Stars almost found the back of the net when a deflected shot located Oluseh Mathew, but the striker's powered header hit the crossbar.
Forward John Owoerri came in for Heartland in the 70th minute and the substitution was indeed a blessing for the millionaires as the striker's first touch broke the deadlock.
Happy Okuoka almost doubled the lead for Heartland just three minutes after Owoerri's opener, but Okuoka who has never played in the Nigeria's top flight blast over the bar.
Substitute Emeka Ogbuh then put the tie beyond Lobi Stars as the experienced striker scored the second and winning goal for Heartland in the 90th minute.
