Enyimba and Heartland set for Owerri pre-season friendly match

Enyimba and Heartland will meet in a pre-season friendly at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Wednesday. The match is scheduled to begin at 9am as both clubs continue their preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.

The fixture brings together two Oriental rivals, with each side having added new players before the start of the new season. The game will give both squads an opportunity to continue their preparations ahead of the competitive programme.

Enyimba finished 12th in the 2026 Nigeria Professional Football League standings, collecting 49 points from 38 matches. Their record included 13 wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats, with 44 goals scored and 42 conceded.

The Aba club’s recent league results have been mixed. Enyimba drew 1-1 away to Ikorodu City, defeated El Kanemi Warriors 3-0 at home, lost 2-0 at Kwara United, beat Remo Stars 2-1 and then fell 2-1 away to Enugu Rangers.

The Owerri meeting comes before Enyimba’s next listed NPFL fixture, an away game against Niger Tornadoes on 30 August 2026. The friendly therefore forms part of the preparation period before the club returns to league action.

Enyimba will also be targeting a record 10th Nigeria Professional Football League title in the new campaign. Their 12th-place finish in 2026 leaves them with ground to recover, while the changes made to both squads will be tested during the pre-season programme.