Heartland Broke Our Hearts — Lobi Boss

The Technical Director of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Dominic Iorfa and his players were short of words to express their disappointment after losing the 2012 Federation Cup to defending champions, Heartland of Owerri on Sunday.

Heartland defeated Lobi 2-1 in an epic final at the Teslim Balogun, Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, and went home with the trophy they won last year.

Lobi scored the opening goal of the encounter when Ezekiel Bassey nodded home a classic pullout from David Tyavkase in the 5th minute.

The early goal, according to Iorfa and his team, spurred them to raise their game. Infact, Lobi thought they were close to dethroning Heartland.

“We were desperate to defeat Heartland, but they came back strongly into the match. It was frustrating,” Iorfa said after the tie.

Jolly Osas equalised for the Naze Millionaires in the 24th minute, while an extra minute goal in the added time by Brendan Ogbu spoilt the day for Lobi with his back breaking header.

“Oh! Heartland broke our hearts, we were sad to see our dejected fans walking out of the stadium like that. They came all the way from Makurdi with their drums and trumpets. This is not the best way to repay their support…” Tyavkase, who led Lobi’s midfield against heartland told P.M.News after the match.

Iorfa, former national player, agreed that both teams played good football in the final, but blamed their loss to ill-luck.

“I was disappointed with the outcome of the match. We played to win the Federation Cup and we are even targeting a double, to emerge champions of the Nigeria Premier League this season.

“Unfortunately, we have lost the Federation Cup title now. I think we will take the defeat in good faith and return home to prepare for our last Premier League tie against Kaduna United,” he said.

While the players and officials of Lobi departed the stadium with red eyes, the champions, Heartland, who were motivated by their governor from Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, celebrated their cup triumph into the early hours of  Monday.

Okorocha, who watched the final match with the chief host, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has promised to reward the Owerri-based team for their gallant feat.

Meanwhile, Fashola honoured former heroes of the National Challenge Cup, led by Christian Chukwu, Muyiwa Oshode, Ismaila Mabo, Shuaibu Amodu, Emmanuel Okala and a few others yesterday.

However, despite throwing the gates open for yesterday’s final, the state government recorded a low turnout, while thousands of Lagosians stayed away from the stadium.

By Tunde Oyedele/Sunday Akintoye