By NICHOLAS OBISIKE

Enyimba International FC of Aba on Tuesday defeated Heartland FC of Owerri 1-0 in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 30 in Aba.

The result compounded the visitors hope of surviving relegation in the ongoing league.

They will have to look else where for the points to scale through the hurdle.

Ekene Awaziem scored the only goal of the match for the hosts in the 35th minute through a pass from Chigozie Chilekwu.

The home team could not convert their numerous chance as Heartland FC have their goalkeeper and Defender Anyanwu to thank for the slim margin.

In a post match interview, Enyimba Coach Finidi George hailed his team for making it double over the visitors in the ongoing season.

“It feels good to win games and we know it is going to be a tough one because, Heartland FC is fighting to survive relegation.

“But looking at the game, I think we had all the chances to score lots of goals but that did not happen.

“At a time in the game, I became scared of the visitors attacking threat but thank God it ended in our favour.

“I believed that we are going to win because, I told the players to win this game for my birthday and I they did just that,”he said

George said that his team is battling injury at the moment and was forced to make adjustments in the defence in the match against the visitors.

“We had a lot of injuries in defence and that was why we converted a midfeilder Chibuike Nwaiwu and defensive midfielder Daniel Daga into full defence and it worked out well.

“Though it ended 1-0 but we missed lot of chances and the strikers know that they could have done better in the game and they are not happy.

“The strikers are not happy but we have to do our work which is to psyche them up for the next match which we need to win as well,” George said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the result lifted Enyimba into second position with 51 points while Heartland remained on 19th position with 26 points after 30 matches.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 30 results

River United FC 3-1 Plateau United FC

Gombe United FC 1-2 Kwara United FC

Enugu Rangers International FC 3-2 Abia Warriors FC

Enyimba International FC 1-0 Heartland FC

Bendel Insurance FC 2-1 Kano Pillars FC

Sporting Lagos FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars FC

Bayelsa United FC 1-1 Katsina United

Shooting Stars FC 2-0 Lobi Stars FC

Akwa United FC 4-1 Niger Tornadoes FC

While on Wednesday, April 17: Doma United FC vs Remo Stars FC ( NAN)

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