2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 16: Bullish Naze Millionaires eye Sky Blue Stars' win

Posted : 27 December 2023

Heartland FC will go in search of their third win of the season on Thursday against Remo Stars, and most importantly, their first-ever victory over the Sky Blue Stars in the top flight.

It is one of the Nigeria Premier Football League Match Day 16 games, and the action spot is the iconic Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, where the league leaders, Remo Stars, will square up against the bottom club, Heartland FC.

The Naze Millionaires have won their last two home games against Bendel Insurance and Akwa United but have been beaten in both trips to Gombe as foes of Gombe United and Doma United. Meanwhile, Daniel Ogunmodede's boys had their five-game unbeaten streak snapped in Kano by Kano Pillars before the blockbuster 2-0 home win over Lobi Stars.

Both teams have met twice previously in the NPFL. Remo Stars defeated Heartland FC 3-0 in Ikenne on December 26th, 2021, while the return leg played on April 12th, 2022, ended goalless in Owerri.

In an unofficial capacity, both teams met during the last Valuejet Cup in Ikenne in a preseason game that ended 1-1.

Heartland FC has defied the yuletide break to train and concentrate on the task of beating Remo Stars, with the technical crew led by Kennedy Boboye placing emphasis on improving the strikers and the overall outputs of the team.

Boboye is not new to Remo Stars, whom he coached in 2019, two years after helping Plateau United to the league title, but the romance didn't last long due to his then national team's engagement distractions.

It is a different kettle of fish now, but with Heartland FC's precarious position on the league table, the home team cannot afford to slack.

Heartland FC's attacker, Chidiebere Ajoku, who celebrates his birthday on Wednesday (today), knows the importance of the fixture after watching Doma United utilize the weather and their vociferous fans to a greater advantage against them in Gombe last week.

He said that the Naze Millionaires' fans and supporters must defy the yuletide break to storm the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, to give them maximum support against Remo Stars, whom he considered beatable.

Ajoku bagged his first goal of the season in the Owerri side's last home game with Akwa United, and he has promised to give his best for the team if he is considered to play in the game again.

"It is a game we are working hard to win because we know that it is the last game of the year, and a win will position us well positively for the new year," Ajoku told Heartland FC Media.

"We know our league's position, and we are not happy about it. We will work harder to secure the maximum points.

"Doma United fans played a crucial role in their impressive home form. The crowd that came to watch us against them was massive. They used the weather condition too. We want our fans in Owerri and remote villages to come all out and support us."

Heartland FC vs. Remo Stars tie comes up at 4 p.m on Thursday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. It is the third meeting between both teams in the top flight.

Head to head:

12-4-2022 Heartland FC 0-0 Remo Stars

26-12-2021 Remo Stars 3-0 Heartland FC

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 16: Bullish Naze Millionaires eye Sky Blue Stars' win

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