Heartland ready for swift NPFL return - Emmanuel Amuneke

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports 

The Technical Manager, of Nigeria National League (NNL), club side Heartland FC, Emmanuel Amuneke, has welcomed the outcome of the preliminary draws, stating that his side are prepared for a swift return to the Nigeria Professional Football League.
 
The draw which placed the Imo State based outfit, in the Southern Conference A alongside Crown FC, Edel FC, Sunshine Stars, E-World FC, Inter Lagos, Smart City FC, Godswill Akpabio United FC, Abia Comets, and Beyond Limits.

Speaking after the draw, Amuneke expressed confidence in his team’s readiness, stressing that the ‘Naze Millionaires’ will compete strongly while respecting every opponent in the group.

“We have been expecting the draw and with what we have done since June when the team resumed rebuilding, we are ready to compete. It is a welcome development and we respect all the teams in our group because they deserve to be there,” the 1994 CAF Player of the Year, stressed.

The former Super Eagles winger noted the significant progress made since the club began its restructuring process, highlighting the blend of new signings and retained players as a key strength ahead of the new season.

“Some of the players we used last season have left, and we have brought in new players. Our objective is to use this new crop, along with the retained ones, to achieve our goal of returning to the NPFL. 

"The new players are adapting very well, and I am happy with their commitment. I can categorically say we are much better than last season because we’ve had more time to prepare and assess the team,” Amuneke said.

He further emphasized the role of the football loving people of the State in the journey back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), urging continuous support for the state’s flagship football club.

“Heartland FC remains the team of Imo State. Imolites deserve the best, and we know they want the best for their club. They have the right to express their opinions, and we must listen. But above all, we call on them to stand by their team in good and bad times, because their support will drive us closer to our goal,” he added.

Heartland FC who begin their 2025/26 NNL campaign against Crown FC of Lagos, on the 8th of November, 2025, as they seek a swift return to the topflight.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

El-Kanemi suffer first defeat, as Kun Khalifat get first win

Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    El-Kanemi Warriors FC got their first taste of defeat of the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League season, as the fell to Kun Khalifat FC away from home, in a lively showdown at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, South-East, Nigeria. The highly anticipated game kicked off, with the home fans turning up in numbers to support their team and the hosts wasted no time in showing their intent as they started brightly, creating two clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, coming agonizing close to breaking the deadlock.   Kun Khalifat kept knocking and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute as they took the lead, enjoying the comfort of a 1-0 halftime advantage. After the restart, El-Kanemi Warriors responded with fierce determination, leveling the scoreline, with the first play of the second half, as Ebuka Okoro scored a stunning volley to level at 1-all.   The celebrations were short-li...
Read more

National Sports Commission reassigns Federations and Associations Secretary Generals

Image
...Rita Mosindi of athIetics moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball now to serve as Zonal Coordinator South-South  ...Ejiro Thukson of scrabble now in chess as Ikhana Mbora leaves Lagos to serve as Deputy Director, Federation - FEAD By Maxwell Kumoye      The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reassigned Secretary Generals of the various National Sports Federations and Associations. Rita Mosindi of AthIetics has been moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball is now the Coordinator of the NSC in the South-South zone, in Benin. While the scribe of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mrs Ejiro Thukson has been moved to the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF). AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), will now be handled by Inwang Israel Mfon, formerly with Mixed Martial Arts.  Olalekan Faseesin of Teqball takes over Boxing Federation from Dapo Akinyele and Anusa Agoga Victor of Wheelchair Tennis Federation is now the scribe of Nigeria Scrabble Fe...
Read more

World record holder Amusan breeze into the women's 100m hurdles semi final

Image
...Records joint fifth fast qualifying time with Masai Russell ...Ajayi, Okon in search of slots in men's 100m, as Okezie, Ogazi begins Tokyo expedition today  By Maxwell Kumoye        Women's world record holder Tobi Amusan comfortably cruised into the semi final of the 100m on Sunday morning in Tokyo, Japan at the ongoing World Athletics Championships. Running in the final heat of the race, Amusan produced a quick start off the block that included heavyweights like Devynne Charlton and Elena Carraro to finish in 12.53s without dropping a sweat. Devynne Charlton came second in 12.69s and Elena Carraro in 12.86s which was enough to see them through to the semi final of Monday. Amusan's timing was the 5th fastest in the six heats on Sunday morning. Jamaica's Danielle Williams topped with her 12.40s in heat 2 ahead of Grace Stark in 12.46s, Nadine Visser 12.48s and Pia Skrzyszowska 12.51s. Masai Russell, running in heat 1 also stopped the clock the sam...
Read more