Heartland set Fed Cup final with Lobi

Sunday Akintoye, Ilorin

Defending champions of Nigeria Federation Cup, Heartland Football Club of Owerri Wednesday evening defeated Prime FC Of Osogbo 5-3 via penalty shootout, after ending the regulation time of their semi final tie in a barren draw at the Ilorin Stadium in Kwara State.

Heartland will on Sunday meet Lobi Stars in the final of the Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Lobi edged out Kano Pillars in the second semi final played in Calabar today.

The pulsating semi final, held in Ilorin, saw Heartland and Prime playing their best football to the admiration of thousands of fans, who came from far and near to watch the encounter.

Heartland who came with few of their supporters from Imo State, controlled the game in the early minutes, but Chinedu Efugh missed what could have been their clear cut chance in the 15th minute.

Samuel Adegbenro, who was adjudged ‘Man Of The Match’ for Prime FC, tormented the defenders of Heartland throughout the first half, but did not score through any of his daring moves.

As the tempo of the match increased, players of both clubs became so rough that Kabiru Umar of Heartland and Tope Akande were given the marching orders for their harsh behaviour on the pitch.

The tension-soaked match continued with Prime, enjoying more home support from the Ilorin fans, and the Osogbo-based side lived up to expectation, especially in the second half of the encounter. Adegbenro was close to scoring for Prime, but he missed a free kick, which hit the bar, while Jolly Osas and Ibenegbu also did not convert their chances.

Before the final whistle, Heartland pullout goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for Chijioke Ejiogu, popularly known as ‘Arugo monkey’, to prepare for the resultant penalty shootout.

Ejiogu saved three penalty kicks and sealed a final ticket for Heartland, who will face Lobi in Lagos.