The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) has provided an opportunity for Heartland of Owerri to fight to save their season by lifting the ban, albeit provisionally, on Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Since the second stanza of the 2023/24 season kicked off, Heartland hasbeen alternating between Enyimba Stadium, Aba and the Awka Township Stadium as their home turf was declared no longer suitable for matches of the NPFL.

But the NPFL in a statement yesterday said it was granting the Naze Millionaires provisional approval to play their remaining home games of the season at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.  

According to the NPFL. This followed observed improvements on their pitch after a second inspection within the last two weeks.  

However, this approval does not extend to the next season as another comprehensive review of facilities at the stadium will be carried out in line with Facilities Criteria of the Club Licensing requirement.  

The league said Heartland would host their Matchday 31 fixture against Shooting Stars at the stadium.

The NPFL had at the start of the second stanza of the season revoked the earlier provisional approval granted to the club following observed deterioration of the pitch.

Heartland are currently placed 19thin the 20-team league with 26 points from 30 matches. They need to win at least five of their remaining eight games, hoping that Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United will drop more points in their last eight games.

Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United have 34, 35 and 36 points respectively and are 18th, 16th and 15th on the table in that order.

Rivers United, who are currently placed 17th on the log, have six outstanding games following their involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup. Currently, on 34 points, they are expected to climb up the table when they play their deferred games.