Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, has revealed that the quick integration of the newly signed players has helped to ensure the Naze Millionaires began the second round with a flourish.
The Naze Millionaires are unbeaten in the last four games including three games of the second stanza of the season and Amuneke who spoke with Heartland Media in Katsina reckoned that it was easier to convince the new players to join because they wanted to play for the club.
Amuneke also thumbed up the retained players for making the integration of the new players to be seamless.
“It is a good thing the newly added players have adjusted well because they really want to come and play for Heartland FC,” Amuneke said. “It’s very important and key to every team’s structure whereby you have players who really want to play for us regardless of where they were coming from.
“I must praise the players they met who created a good environment for the new players to quickly adapt.”
The former Zamalek and Barcelona winger affirmed Heartland’s readiness to face Katsina United irrespective of the long journey they had to endure.
The 1994 CAF Player of Year winner rued the absence of Christian Molokwu who activated a game suspension after he was booked against Rivers United last weekend.
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“We are prepared and ready for the game though the journey was stressful but we are aware of what brought us to Katsina and the boys are ready to give their best.
“Molokwu is a very important player in the team but it is expected that in his absence others should assume responsibilities. We will miss him but the other players are ready to play.”
Meanwhile, former Katsina United defender, Chinedu Ozor has disclosed that he is with Heartland in Katsina to prove to his former employers that he is now an improved player than the one that played for them last season’s first stanza of the league.
Ozor spent the first part of the season with the Chanji Boys before joining Heartland and the defender disclosed ahead of the game at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium today that the Naze Millionaires have come with the conviction to return to Owerri with the three points.
“I feel good coming up against Katsina United having played for them in the first stanza of last season before I joined Heartland,” Ozor said.
“Katsina United are a good side and I loved the team when I was there. I always like to prove a point against them so that they will know that I still have something to offer.
“We will try our best to return home with the three points. The weather will not affect the team because the sun may be harsh at game time but we are playing this same time with them and nobody is used to the sun or harsh conditions. I believe if we come out fully, we will outplay them and get the points.