Amuneke, Erikan eye Heartland’s return to NPFL 

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri 

Technical Manager of Heartland FC, Emmanuel Amuneke has disclosed that the team’s target is to return to the NPFL in the coming soccer season.

Amuneke dropped the hint during a post-match interview with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Imo State Chapter immediately after the Naze Millionaires defeated their visiting rival, Smart City FC 3-1 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The gaffer who was visibly elated by the home victory noted that although his team’s Nigerian National League, NNL, Group is tough, his focus is on garnering the three points of each match irrespective of the goal margin.

On his preparedness for future games, Amuneke quickly said, “We are not underestimating any team. It’s a marathon and we still have hurdles to cross. I like being realistic and I can’t disrespect any team because of the outcome of today’s match.

“The clear idea is to return Heartland FC to the NPFL. Smart City is good side and when you meet such team you don’t give a chance.”

Also speaking, back-to-back winner of Imo SWAN Player of the Month’ for January and February, Francis Erikan who scored the first goal of the match, expressed joy over the defeat of their visitors.

Erikan remarked that he feels happy playing for Heartland, describing his return to the team as home coming and promised to always give his best to the Naze Millionaires.

“Any time I play for Heartland, I put in my best. What runs in my mind is how to make Heartland returned to the NPFL. That’s why I’m giving my 100 percent whenever I play,” he submitted.

Reacting on the outcome of the Match Day13, Coach of Smart City, Sodiq Ademola Dabiri blamed his team’s defeat on what he called team deficiency which made them concede three cheap goals.

Meanwhile, the MatchDay13 game ended 3-1 in favour of Heartland FC, a feat which has pushed the team up to the 3rd position on the league table with 17 points from 11 matches.