Matchday Preview: Pressure mounts on winless Heartland as Insurance storms Owerri

Winless Heartland is set to host Bendel Insurance, the Benin Arsenal, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, at 4 pm in matchday 12 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Both teams are eager for a victory, with Heartland seeking their first win of the season and Insurance eyeing their maiden away triumph.

HEARTLAND

Under the leadership of Kennedy Boboye, there is a palpable sense of anticipation for the Naze Millionaires to secure three points before their home fans for the first time this season. The team’s morale is on the upswing following a hard-fought draw against Gbenga Ogunbote’s high-flying Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

Although the match ended in a goalless draw, curtailing the Oluyole Warriors was a formidable task accomplished by Heartland. All attention is now focused on their midweek clash against the Benin Arsenals.

Heartland currently languishes at the bottom of the table, immersed in the relegation zone with only seven points from 11 games. The team has struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only eight times while conceding 13 goals in the process.

BENDEL INSURANCE

Bendel Insurance broke their streak of draws by securing a late victory against Lobi Stars last Saturday, courtesy of Junior Osaghae’s decisive goal, igniting wild celebrations at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Monday Odigie’s team has managed only one victory in their last five matches, defeating Lobi Stars. They suffered losses on the road against Gombe United and Enyimba, with draws away from home against Niger Tornadoes, Kano Pillars, and Doma United.

Despite these challenges, the team remains optimistic about an impending away victory, and the Benin Arsenal eagerly anticipates success in the near future. They currently sits sixth on the league table with 17 points from 11 games.

While not prolific in scoring, having netted only eight goals and conceded five this season, the team hopes to capitalize on the form of Sarki Ismael to secure a win. Speculations about potential squad adjustments linger, but only time will reveal the manager’s decisions.

STATISTICS

The last encounter between Heartland and Bendel Insurance at the Dan Anyiam Stadium occurred during the 2007/08 season, resulting in a 3-0 victory for the home team. This historical backdrop adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming clash between the two sides.