Former NPFL side, Dakkada FC fans at the Uyo Township Stadium were infuriated when Donald Henshaw missed a 93rd-minute penalty kick and a chance to grab a full 3-points at home against Nigerian National League(NNL) newcomer 1472 FC on Saturday.

1472 FC opened the scoring before Dakkada leveled and later took the lead of the game with a 2-1 scoreline. However, the zealous visitors found an equalizer through a free header towards the end of the game.

Luck smiled again on the Dakkada team in the 91st minute when the center referee signaled a spot kick after 1472 goalkeeper Dede Dare’s fist missed the ball but hit the Dakkada attacker’s head.

The chance was not converted as more experienced Dakkada players shy away from the spot kick. No. 9 shirt, Henshaw took responsibility but sent the ball right into Dare’s waiting hands.

The game ended 2-2 with home fans cursing while others blamed Dakkada’s woes on poor funding. The state-owned club has not won any of its last five matches.

Dakkada’s Coach Emmanuel King said he was impressed with his team’s performance as they are, a “work in progress”

“Dakkada is a team that has been assembled in less than 3 weeks. Their age is relatively between 18 to 19 years old. They have done well irrespective of the fact that they played a 2-2 draw.

“The old players are barely 5 in number and the new boys need time to grow in strength. I can’t guarantee a promotion.”

Coach Ortega Adeniran declared the game “not a bad game”. The former Trainer of the national U20 team and Eyimba Technical Assistant said he had watched Dakkada several times including their training.

The peek into Dakkada gave Adeniran the formation that almost took 3 points from Uyo. His ambition is to gain promotion into Nigeria’s top football league with 1472 FC.

“We started a month ago and wasted 3 weeks doing screening. It was our first week of training as a team. I thank God for the knowledge and my assistants too. I thank the boys too. We are rich I must say. We are representing a billionaire and he is doing his best. We are well paid, that’s why you see the boys will want to kill themselves.”

1472 FC is the second NNL club side to travel by air for their league match. The newcomers took after another private club, Abuja-based Sporting Supreme to use flights to their matches.

They are a privately owned football club that is set to improve the standard of Nigeria’s football league through quality investment in infrastructure and players.

Renowned Nigeria gaffer, Coach Kennedy Boboye, has been announced as the new head coach of Nigeria Football League side, Heartland Football Club of Owerri , taking over from Coach Obi following the latter strings of poor run of form.

Yet to record a win in the current season after (9) games, Coach Obi who led the ‘Naze Millionaires” back to the Nigeria elite league was relieved of his duties with two time Nigeria topflight league winning gaffer, Coach Kennedy Boboye taking over the helm of affaires.

With Coach Kennedy Boboye faced with an enormous task of getting Heartland back to winning ways and turning around their fortune, here are (3) reasons why the former Akwa United gaffer will succeed with Heartland.

1. EXPERIENCE

Arguably one of the League most decorated gaffer, Coach Kennedy Boboye ranks as one of the finest Nigeria Coach in the league, his achievements speaks volume.

Coming in to pilot the affairs of Heartland Football Club, Coach Kennedy Boboye vast knowledge and experience of the game most especially in the league is one factor that would turn-around the fortunes e of Heartland.

After showing class to lift the league title with Plateau United, Boboye showed further his exploits with the Jos based side wasn’t a fluke as he went ahead to clinch the league title with Akwa United.

With his vast experience of the league, Heartland Football Club will surely flourish under his tutelage.

2. MAN MANAGEMENT

Coach Kennedy Boboye man management prowess has proven to be top notch which are evident in the various clubs coached in the League and in the Nigeria National team.

With his usual coach-players synergy, Heartland would witness a turn-around sooner than expected.

Coach Boboye is well known to always carry his players along in the Scheme of things which usually propels the players r to play for the badge and for the manager in change.

Never been heard of any Coach Kennedy Boboye tutored side Chequered with tales of dressing-room unrest and player revolts, his ability to always ensure a good working relationship with his players will surely bring out the best in them and usher in the turnaround needed in the Heartland Football Club team.

3. STYLE OF PLAY

Watching any of Coach Kennedy Boboye thinkered side has always been a delight to watch following his team free flowing football pattern of play.

With no definite formation peculiar to him, one thing is always certain with his team, they always keep possession and exploits the width of the pitch which makes his players much difficult to cancel out.

In Akwa United, Coach Kennedy won the league title in style listing as the team with the highest number of goals scored at home and away by any other team.

Coach Kennedy Boboye style of play will be key in the revolution needed in Heartland Football Club if only the players would play to instruction.

He always Marshalls the best players in his team on the basis of merit and this always brings out the best from his team.

His pattern of play will bring back the glory days of the Naze Millionaires.

Football enthusiast and one of Abia Warriors Football Club newly constituted board member, Francis Chibuike Chilaka, has fulfilled his promise to the Abia Warriros Football Club players after its Matchday on Matchday (3) win.

In the bid to motivate the team in the keenly contested fixture against Kano Pillars at the weekend, Francis Chibuike Chilalaka popularly known as ‘Owo Texas’ pledged a whopping sum of, One Hundred Thousand Naira (#100,000) to the players for a win over resilient Kano Pillars side.

After it’s disappointing lose to Kwara United on Matchday 2, Abia Warriros returned home to see off stars studded Kano Pillars side at the Umuahia township stadium, thanks to lanky forward, Sunday Megwo, whose solitary strike made the difference after 90mins.

Known for his Philanthropist gesture and his exceptional love for the growth and development of football in Abia State and beyond, the newly appointed Board member of the club paid off the pledge after the team hard fought win to send the Abia Warriors players into rapture.

Next for the Umuahia Warlords is a date with Lobi Stars on Matchday (4) at the Lafia City Township Stadium.