Heartland vs Lobi Stars preview: Will Naze Millionaires extend unbeaten run to NPFL?

By: Elias Adah Bartholomew

The 2023/2024 NPFL season is set to take the stage after several crashes due the debates on television rights and sponsorships that led to the postponement of the league on two different occasions. The much anticipated NPFL season begins on Saturday, 30th September with six different games.

Newcomers, Heartland who had a bright season in the second division with an unbeaten run of 14 games including a 2-0 win over Kano Pillars at the Championship final last July is set to welcome Lobi Stars to the Dan Anyiam Stadium for a topflight football for the first time in a year and three months.

In their preparation for the forthcoming season, the Naze Millionaire as they fondly called were involved in six preseason games, picking up two victories, two draws and two loses scoring six goals in that process.

It was a different fortune for Lobi Stars FC who finished second with 30 points, four points behind Rivers United in Group B of the Nigeria Professional Football League last season.

The Makurdi outfit were involved in four preseason games picking up two victories, a loss and then a stalemate in preparation for the coming season.

The Benue-based side will be going into this fixture with so much confidence as they have the edge in their last 19 Head-to-Head (10W, 2D, 7L).

Players to Watch: Lobi’s forward, Barnabas Imenger, has racked up just 14 goals in 46 appearances for the Makurdians. Nnamdi Egbuojo, who once plied his trade with Lobi Stars, will be facing his former employer in this fixture. The forward has scored 8 goals in 57 appearances for Heartland FC and will look to add to his tally come Saturday.

Hot Stat: No draw has been recorded between both sides in their last nine games. The only time they played a barren draw was in September 2015 at Owerri. Meanwhile, Heartland have only lost once to Lobi Stars at home in the last 10 years.