Substitute, Ejike Uzoechi came off the bench to save Heartland of Owerri in a high profile friendly Oriental derby that ended 1-1 today at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
It was a game the two NPFL sides used to keep fit ahead of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier League season.
Abia Warriors started slowly but grew into the game, and could have taken the lead in the first half but for the hasty decisions their strikers took in front of the goal area to end the first half goalless.
On resumption of play, both Coach Erasmus Onu and his Heartland counterpart, Christian Obi effected some changes in their line ups but it was the Warriors who drew the first blood through enterprising attacker, John Peter who took advantage of their opponents school boy defending to give the Warriors the lead in the 54th minute following an inch perfect cross by Augustine Njoku.
But the hosts refused to accept another home defeat in the hands of their oriental brothers as they fought back in the closing stages and got the equalizer in the fifth minute of added time through Ejike Uzoechi to send the home supporters into delirium.
