Tag: Amuneke

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, says he feels no shame tinkering the Naze Millionaires in the Nigeria National League (NNL), insisting that leading his home state club  is an honour and a responsibility he embraces with pride.

The Heartland FC Technical Manager, spoke  after his side  battled Gateway FC to a goalless draw on Saturday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta—a result that moved the Owerri side to fifth on the log with four points from three matches.

Despite the stalemate, the former African Footballer of the Year said his team deserved more from the encounter.

 “We came here with an objective to win the game,” he said. “We knew our opponents would be under pressure after losing their first two games, so it was always going to be a tough challenge. We created a lot of chances but were not effective in the final third. For me, it was two points dropped rather than one gained.”

Amuneke, who has coached in Tanzania, Zambia and served on FIFA and CAF Technical Study Groups, stressed that his career achievements do not place him above the job at Heartland. Instead, he sees the NNL assignment as another phase in his professional and personal journey.

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“I am very realistic to myself. I don’t place myself based on my status or what I have achieved. Life puts you in different places and you must face those challenges like a man,” he said. “I have won the U-17 World Cup twice, but I believe in embracing the process. There is nothing to be ashamed of being in the NNL. It’s about working hard to bring Heartland back to the topflight.”

The former Super Eagles forward added that serving Imo State through Heartland FC gives him a deeper sense of purpose.

 “It is an honour to be asked to lead Heartland FC, the club from my state. I am happy serving my people and it is the greatest joy I can achieve,” he remarked.

Heartland will return to action this Saturday when they host Inter FC Lagos in an NNL Matchday 4 tie at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, as they continue their push to return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, has welcomed the outcome of the Nigeria National League (NNL) draw which placed the Naze Millionaires in the Southern Conference A alongside Crown FC, Edel FC, Sunshine Stars, E-World FC, Inter FC 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 Heartland 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 year told Heartland FC Media.

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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 Imo people 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 will begin their campaign in the 2025/26 NNL season with renewed determination to secure a swift return to the topflight when they face Crown FC of Ogbomosho in the first game on November 15^th  in Ogbomosho

Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke was thrilled to see the Naze Millionaires halt their winless streak with a home win against Kano Pillars in Owerri over the  weekend.

The Naze Millionaires defeated Kano Pillars 2-0 in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 32 encounter at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for their first win in the last eight league games.

The four-time champions also moved out of the relegation zone following the win.

Amuneke in an interview said his players did what was required and was glad they got the maximum points after a turbulent period.

“First, I must confess that we played against a very good side. You’ve got to recognize that fact. Kano Pillars is a team with huge experience,” Amuneke said.

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“Like I always emphasize, you must first find a way to contain such a team, then take your chances when they come.

“That’s exactly what we did in this game. It’s not about being spectacular in performance—it’s about winning and securing the three points.”

“That’s the most important thing, and I’m grateful to God that we were able to do that today.”

Heartland will face Rangers again this weekend in a repeat of the President Federation Cup Round of 32 which the Flying Antelopes won on penalties after a 1-1 draw at full time.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch tour berthed in Owerri, the Imo state capital even as the state concluded  its final trials for over 670 athletes that emerged from the local government and federal constituency trials.

Meanwhile, the festival Torch Light which commenced its tours of the nine mandate states of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, arrived  in  Imo yesterday..

The Festival Torch Lighting Ceremony in Imo State  commenced with the arrival of the Torch at the Dan Anyiam Stadium and was received by the state’s Festival Ambassador and former Nigeria International, Emmanuel Amuneke.

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This was followed by a procession to Government House Gate where Amuneke handed over the Torch Light to the Honourable  Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Evaristus Onyeocha.

The Commissioner proceeded to hand over the Torch to the Executive Governor Of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodinma, and thereafter at a brief ceremony before handing over to MOC.

Meanwhile, the state trials  was held over two-days at the Dan Anyiam Stadium with an initial over one thousand athletes registering for a place in the state’s  contingent for the NDSF scheduled for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State between  April 1and 8.

Members Of the State Liaison Committee for the festival led by the chairman who also is the state Commissioner for Sports, and the Secretary, Hon. Willie Okolieogwo were on ground  to supervise the exercise and ensuring compliances to rules.

At the end of the exercise, about 430 selected athletes have  been  invited to a closed camping which will commence from Friday,  29th of March  till  their departure on  April 1^st .

Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke has admitted that his players were second best Sunday’s  loss to Ikorodu City in Lagos  but stressed that the Naze Millionaires would go back home to make corrections ahead of the next games.

The Owerri side fell to Leonard Ngenge and Ayomide Cole’s goals  in the ninth and 58^th  minute and Amuneke noted that the mistakes noticed would be corrected before the visit of Bayelsa United this weekend.

“Even if we had won this game, we could still have looked at areas we should improve on,” Amuneke told journalists.

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The 1994 African Player of the Year pointed out that modern football is understood and played better by young players hence his decision to focus on getting young quality players for the Naze Millionaires.

“Modern football now is played by young players. We as Nigerians we do not create that avenue where our young players can grow how do we expect them to grow? 

“We have a responsibility to create standards where everybody that comes there can grow.

“We have a very tight schedule but this game has come and gone. We must think about the next game now.”

Heartland are 14^th  on the log with 33 points. 

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke believes the Naze Millionaires’  recent resurgence in the Nigeria  Premier Football League (NPFL)  following their Sunday’s  1-0 win over Sunshine Stars is down  to  hard  work from the rank and  file of the club.

Christian Nkwo’s eighth minute stunner was all the Owerri-based side needed to dislodge the Owena Whales and it made it three wins from their last three games.

Amuneke said the victory against Sunshine was a delight even as he   commended the hard work and work rate of the team, stating  without hard work , it would have been difficult  for his wards   to make headway.

 “Today’s (Sunday)  game was a very tough game but I am happy,” Amuneke said after the match. “I have always emphasized the journey not the destination but of course when you are building a team, not everyone will see the vision for the team, which is also part of the journey.

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 “The essence of you playing and winning a game is for you to continue growing as a team.

 “I would say we have worked so hard and we are happy that we have been able to take nine points from our last three games. The win against Sunshine Stars has allowed us to get out of the danger zone and enable us to play well for the next game against Kano Pillars.”

On Heartland’s next away game against Kano Pillars on Sunday, Amuneke said he and his team would salivate the three pints against Sunshine Stars before preparations  on the next game.

 “Let us digress away from the next  game and enjoy the moment”. “From tomorrow (Monday) we will start looking at the next game and also analyze the players to know those that would be available.”

The Naze Millionaires have now moved away from the bottom half of the league standings for the first time this season as they now occupy the 10th place on the table with 15 points from 11 games.

Heartland FC  on Sunday  earned their first win of the season following their 2-0 home victory over Niger Tornadoes at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri yesterday in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday Five tie.

The Naze Millionaires had played four games with just a draw and three losses prior to the encounter but the youthful Owerri side scored twice, one in each half through Michael Ogu who netted on his debut for the club.

Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke made two changes to the side that was beaten 1-0 in Ibadan two weekends ago against Shooting Stars with the introduction of Ikwu Ejike in place of ailing Olanrewaju Molade Ojo while Chukwuma Agor dropped to the bench with Ogu his replacement. 

It was a balance game when it started but the visitors were the first to exert themselves due to their more experienced players. Heartland managed to vend off the danger on the few occasions the Ikon Allah Boys threatened.

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Heartland shot into the lead in the 20th  minute after good work from Christian Molokwu whose cross was headed home at the second post by Ogu. The goal threw the stadium into a blast with the fans in joyous mood.

Tornadoes who were unbeaten before the tie tried to level proceedings but they were not coordinated in the attack. 

Heartland FC added a second goal in the 60th minute through the same player, Ogu who slid home past Tornadoes Goalie, Emmanuel Iwu.

The game ended 2-0 in favour of Heartland FC who moved to four points from five games ahead of their long trip to Maiduguri as guests of El Kanemi Warriors this weekend.

Imo State  Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma,  has unveiled  former Nigeria international  and 1994 African Footballer of the Year,  Emmanuel Amuneke  as the Technical Manager of Heartland Football Club, Owerri.

The unveiling ceremony  was held  yesterday  at the New Executive Council Chambers, Government House Owerri , where  he  said that the idea was to “reposition the Heartland Football Club for a brighter future to the happiness of Imo people and football enthusiasts in particular.”

The Governor recalled that on assumption of office in 2020 his administration met a Heartland Football Club that was relegated and that he made frantic efforts to bring it back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPF).

He however regretted that recent events  show that the Football Club has gone back to the drain again, “and can only come back to life by reorganising the administrative structure and reposition the management and technical team of the Club.”

The Governor said to deal with the situation on ground, he has been able to identify one of Nigeria’s best in football management and technical administration/know-how, in Amuneke, to manage and bring back Heartland FC to her past glory.

Governor Uzodimma therefore expressed joy that Amuneke has graciously accepted and agreed to take up the responsibility, noting that the “target of the technical team is that they must win the Premiership and go for Continental competition.”

The Governor assured that his government is committed towards “providing the necessary needs that will enable the technical team succeed and put joy and smile back on the faces of our people and bring back what Heartland FC used to be.”

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To make Amuneke’s job effective and seamless, devoid of unnecessary bureaucracy, the Governor offered to deal directly with his Management team through direct reportage to his office.

Responding to the offer, Amuneke thanked the Governor, government and people of Imo State for the privilege to serve and promised to do his best, humanly possible, to achieve the set target of bringing Heartland Football Club back to where it used to be.

He described the assignment as  homecoming for him, noting that the assignment to succeed is a collective thing and that he is driven by the objective of ensuring success at any point in time because “the people deserve to have happiness and joy on their faces always.”

While  unveiling was witnessed by all members of Imo Executive Council in attendance for an emergency Exco sitting of the State, the football tactician was accompanied by the management and staff of the Ministry of Sports Development in Imo State.