HEARTLAND 1-0 ABS

For the first time in almost three years the city of Owerri was agog again over their darling club's rise to the summit of the premier league after a hard earned 1-0 win over hard fighting ABS at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Sunday evening.

A delightful free kick converted by Amarachi Ukaegbu from a good pass from Ikechukwu Ibenegbu in the 34th minute of the encounter was all the Naze Millionaires needed to stage a return to the pinnacle of the league for the first time in recent years.

It was a follow up to the feat recorded in Ibadan where Heartland against all odds outwitted 3SC 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba last Wednesday.

The defeat meant that the Ilorin outfit has slipped to the bottom of the table and must do everything fast in their next home tie against Enugu Rangers on Wednesday. An outright win is non-negotiable for the privately owned club.

Heartland have a big task of their own if they want to retain their place at the top when they visit Sunshine Stars of Akure this Wednesday. If they secure another unlikely win, they are going to remain at the top. Heartland are currently on 22 points from 12 games, same as Kano Pillars but they are on top by virtue of their better goals difference while ABS are at the wrong end of the table with 13 points from 13 encounters to place 19th.