Former Nigerian champions, Heartland Football Club of Owerri, have made a return to the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) just one season after they were relegated to the second tier Nigerian National League (NNL).
After qualifying for the NNL playoff to determine which teams would be promoted to the topflight, they put up spirited performance in their last game against Sporting Lagos to qualify. Their opponent on the night also qualified.
Goals from Francis Erikan and Chidiebere Ajoku sent them to immediate return to the NPL.
Heartland FC who go relegated last season went down after Chukwuemeka put Sporting Lagos FC ahead.
Francis Erikan found the equalizer almost immediately before Ajoku scored the winner in the second stanza of the match.
Both Sporting Lagos and Heartland FC are promoted to NPFL next season.
While Heartland FC would Kano Pillars to decide NNL winners for 2023 season.
