Erikan Dominic on target as Heartland beat Kano Pillars FC to win NNL title
Former Ibom Youths FC winger Erikan Dominic and Fabian Omaka were on target to help Heartland FC beat Kano Pillars FC to win the Nigeria National League – NNL title.
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN
After finishing top in the Southern and Northern Conference of the NNL Super 8 playoffs respectively, Heartland FC and Kano Pillars FC locked horns in the final game to determine the champion for the 2022/2023 season.
In the match, Owerri based Heartland FC were the best side and deserved the victory as witnessed at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba the Delta state capital.
Fast and talented winger Erikan Dominic who Heartland FC signed from Ibom Youths FC just before the NNL Super 8 playoff, was denied the opener by Pillars goalie in the 33rd minute of the first half, the acrobatic kick by Kingsley Arum from the rebound also missed the target.
Erikan Dominic then found the breakthrough with an incredible solo run to fire Heartland FC in front, his second goal for the Owerri-based outfit and 5th of the season having bagged three in his five games for Ibom Youths FC.
Fabian Omaka then doubled the advantage for Heartland FC in the 76th minute to give Coach Christian Obi’s men an unassailable lead as the clock ticked away in Asaba.
At full-time, it finished Heartland FC 2-0 Kano Pillars FC.
INVINCIBLE CHAMPIONS
Heartland FC thus finish as Champions of the 2022/2023 Nigeria National League season with a an invincible slate having not lost a game in both the regular season and playoffs.
THE PROMOTED TEAMS
Prior to the final game, Heartland FC, Kano Pillars FC, Katsina United FC and Sporting Lagos FC had already secured promotion to the Nigeria Premier League for the 2023/2024 season.
