2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 38: Win or sink, relegation-threatened Heartland FC battles Akwa United FC

Posted : 25 May 2025

The dust will rise on Sunday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in a final battle for survival between two relegation-threatened clubs: Heartland International FC in 17th position and Akwa United FC in 18th.

In their final match of the season, the Naze Millionaires will be desperate for victory against the Promise Keepers to avoid the same fate that befell them last season, when they were relegated from the league before being handed another chance by taking over the spot vacated by Beyond Limits FC—an opportunity that brought them back to the elite division.

Now, that opportunity is on the verge of slipping away again, as the team has struggled for survival throughout most of the season, gasping for breath.

The Naze Millionaires must secure maximum points in the final match of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The club, in a statement, described the match as “the final battle!”

“We face Akwa United with our sights on the maximum points,” Heartland FC said.

While the Naze Millionaires sit 17th on the NPFL table with 45 points, their opponents, Akwa United, are ranked 18th with 44 points.

This game is expected to be tense, as only one point separates both teams.

A win for either side could be enough to survive, depending on other results. A draw helps no one. Heartland may have the slight edge at home, but nerves will be stretched all afternoon.

Heartland must beat Akwa United while hoping that either Tornadoes, Katsina United, or El Kanemi Warriors falter in their home games against Kano Pillars, Kwara United, and Sunshine Stars respectively to open an escape route.

For the Promise Keepers, they must defeat Heartland in Owerri and also pray that Katsina United lose at home and El Kanemi Warriors are held by already relegated Sunshine Stars in Maiduguri.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the crowd in Owerri will feel every pass, tackle, and chance.

Head to Head:

The Naze Millionaires have won 12 direct matches. Akwa United have won 10. Three matches ended in a draw. On average, both teams score 1.80 goals per match in head-to-head games.

Heartland vs Akwa United – Last 5 Matches:

23/12/2024: Akwa United 2-0 Heartland

03/06/2024: Akwa United 2-0 Heartland

17/12/2023: Heartland 1-0 Akwa United

05/06/2022: Heartland 1-0 Akwa United

13/02/2022: Akwa United 0-0 Heartland

10/06/2021: Akwa United 3-1 Heartland

24/01/2021: Heartland 2-1 Akwa United

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 38: Win or sink, relegation-threatened Heartland FC battles Akwa United FC

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