Heartland in auto accident in Maiduguri

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Heartland were involved in an auto accident in Maiduguri yesterday.

The Owerri-based side were in Maiduguri to honour the NPFL matchday 35 clash against El Kanemi Warriors today at the Maiduguri Township Stadium.

The team arrived safely in Maiduguri on Wednesday but the hosts’ team bus conveying the Naze Millionaires to their hotels ran into a Nigerian Army Hilux Jeep on the Kano/ Jos road near the Ramat Polytechnic.

No death was recorded in the auto accident but nine Heartland players sustained varying degree of injuries.

The injured were taken to hospital for treatment while El Kanemi Warriors’ officials were making frantic efforts to get another vehicle to take others to the hotel.

El Kanemi Warriors secretary Tahir Bala confirmed the auto accident and equally confirmed that nine players were injured.

“Yes, the bus conveying Heartland team from the airport to their hotel just had an accident with an army car but no death was recorded, but nine players sustained bruises.

“We are making frantic efforts to take the injured to hospital for treatment while arrangement is going on to take others to their hotel. That’s what I can say for now,” said Bala to supersport.com.