The ever rising Amaraya Football Club of Mbaise on Friday recorded its first loss following an encounter with almighty Heartland Football Club of Owerri. The match was played at the old stadium, Tetlow Road Owerri and was officiated by an Owerri-based professional referee, Mr Mark Ibe.
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Amaraya FC played with their away Jersey while their host, Heartland FC played with their home Jersey. The match started by 10.30am despite the slight rainfall. Both teams started the game with the spirit of victory. The Amaraya boys shocked their hosts with an early goal at the 3rd minute from Nzubechi Chilaka. The visitors launched serious attacks which enabled them to equalize at the 10th minute. Heartland FC later launched serious attacks that overwhelmed Amaraya defenders leading the two additional goals before half time.
Both teams used the half time to re-strategized in order to make a difference. The match continued with both teams struggling to shine. Amaraya boys held their hosts by changing their midfield tactics and this led to many goal attempts from the Amaraya boys. The “show of strength” game continue with none of them teams ready to slumber or bottle any chance. The situation continued until the Heartland Coach make some substitutions which strengthened his team to launch mortal strikes that resulted to another goal at the 65th minute. This fourth goal really demoralized Amaraya boys thereby reducing their attacking spirit.
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After some substitutions by the Coach of Amaraya FC, the team regained vigour and launched serious attacks which resulted to their second goal at the 74th minute from Udochukwu Onuoha. Irked by the second goal of their visitors, Heartland FC drew the battle line. They launched relentless attacks which resulted to their fifth goal at the 82nd minute. The match continued with Amaraya boys struggling to score their third goal before the referee blew the final whistle at the 9th minute which brought the match to an end.
The match was well attended by many fans of both clubs. The fans of Amaraya FC were all over the stadium cheering and motivating their boys.
In an interview, the Coach of Amaraya FC, Mr Ekene Nwankwo described the loss as the first since his coaching career but expressed optimism that his boys will do great and marvellous things ahead. Also speaking, the Director General of Amaraya Foundation, Mr Kelechi Oguamanam said that the team lost to a stronger and better side. He urged the Amaraya boys not to be demoralized by the defeat and focus on the matches ahead. In his own words, the Coach of Heartland FC extolled the Amaraya FC for assembling such a formidable force and prophesied that the team will do wonders in the future in they sustain their team chemistry. He said Heartland FC is ready to partner with Amaraya FC in the development of talents of their players. He urged the team to do more on confidence building for greater glory.
