Eight players and two officials of Heartland FC were hospitalised following a car crash which involved the club’s team bus.

The players were on their way to an NPFL clash against El-Kanemi Warriors on Thursday, September 15 when the accident happened in Maiduguri.

The League Management Company (LMC) who are the organisers of the NPFL have shifted the fixture to a new date; Saturday, September 17.

This is the second time the game which was originally scheduled for Saturday, September 10 has been postponed.

It was shifted to the Thursday 15 because of a flight booking mix-up before the car crash caused another postponement.

Heartland FC have released a statement confirming that the accident happened on their way from the airport when a military van in a full speed hit the team bus of the Naze Millionaires.

“It was a miracle as no death was recorded, while those injured were taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” the club said in a Facebook statement.

“As I speak with you, Ebele Obi has been given three injections while Mobi Oparaku our Team manager sustained a head injury while the fate of other seven players and another official has yet to be decided,” Director of Media of Heartland FC, Cajetan Nkwopara told Pulse Sports.

“Even though the home team are playing down the incidence it is our responsibility to say things as they are. We have reported to the LMC and we are praying that Thursday’s league tie is coming too soon based on what we experienced (today) on Wednesday in Maiduguri.”

Heartland FC are 18th on the table while El-Kanemi are 12th.