2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 20: My debut goal against Kano Pillars is important and significant, says Heartland FC Ohawume

Posted : 19 February 2024

New Heartland FC attacker Malachi Ohawume has expressed excitement at his scoring debut for the Naze Millionaires and has charged the club's fans to be patient with them after the home draw with Kano Pillars.

Ohawume's acrobatic strike in the 90th minute rescued a point for Heartland FC after Kano Pillars' first half goal through Ibrahim Mustapha in the 30th minute had threatened another home loss before the former Rivers United striker scored to save the Owerri side from imminent danger.

The attacker said he was happy he could finally deliver for the club after several efforts in the past that yielded no results, and that it was with that enthusiasm that he got to the pitch when he was introduced with the conviction that the team wouldn't lose at home on his debut.

"It was a dream start for me. I can't describe the way I felt scoring on my debut. "It has been a long route, but I am grateful to God that it ended in praise."

Ohawume spoke of his initial disappointments in joining the team in the past.

"It was a tough game for us. We gave it our all. It wasn't a good first half for us, but we improved in the second half.

''The new players were just involved in their first competitive game together, and it will take a while before we will get to understand ourselves better.

"I want to appeal to our fans to be patient with us. We shall get it right, and we will need their support. ''We shall improve on the performance with Kano Pillars when we visit Lafia this weekend."

Heartland FC's Technical Adviser, Christian Obi, started with former Rivers United and Shooting Stars goalkeepers Darlintin Ovunda, Christian Molokwu, Johnson Umah, Chinedu Ozor, and Peters Afolayan in defense, while Barnabas Ingya, Ifeanyi Anyanwu, and Christian Weli were the midfielders, with Ugochukwu Leonard, Onyekachi Okafor, and George Jenom in attack.

Kano Pillars controlled the early exchanges and could have been two goals up if not for Darlintin Ovunda's impressive saves. He, however, could not stop Mustapha from opening the game's account of goal in the 30th minute after a quick counterattack that ended with a cross from the flank for the striker to jab home from close range.

Heartland emerged from the halftime pep talk better than the first half, and Ohawume's scissors kick stoppage time goal was the icing on the cake. The Naze Millionaires will face the wounded Lobi Stars in Lafia this weekend in a NPFL Match Day 21 tie.

2023/2024 NPFL Match Day 20: My debut goal against Kano Pillars is important and significant, says Heartland FC Ohawume

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