Tag: Emeteole

Heartland technical adviser, Kelechi Emeteole has expressed satisfaction with his side’s 1-1 draw at Kano Pillars.

Kano Pillars forced the 10-man former Federation Cup winners to a 1-1 draw in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League match day 10 at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.

Striker, Bright Ejike scored the match opener for Heartland in the 28th minute while Pillars fought back to level score in the 68th minute through Phillip Auta to end hostilities even for both sides.

Emeteole, who described as deserved the marching order to the side’s Malian import, Keita Koman in the 41st minute, said his charges are improving steadily with each game.

“Pillars forced us to a draw with a deserved red card to Keita Koman in the 36th minute leaving us with 10 men for the rest part of the game.

“The players played very well and adhered strictly to the half time pep talk I gave to them. Though we lost two clear chances at goal I’m fully satisfied with the point we got at Kano Pillars.

“I’m happy with the point more so as the players are coming up with each match, they’re learning very fast.

“It leaves one with solid hope that in no distant time every square peg will fall into a square hole.

“Pillars didn’t disappoint, too, they gave a good account of themselves in the game,” said the former El-Kanemi Warriors manager to Supersport.com.

Heartland have upped their total earnings to 10 points from a possible 30 in the 10-week old Nigerian top flight.

Heartland’s head coach, Kelechi Emeteole has said he is confident that the Naze Millionaires will secure their first win of the season against their neighbours, Enyimba today in a Week 9 Glo Premier League clash at Owerri.

The Owerrri side lost by the odd goal to the People’s Elephant at the Dan Anyiam Stadium last season but Emeteole told SportingLife that such episode won’t occur again this term as they strive to wipe off their disappointing start to the season with a win against Enyimba and subsequently against other clubs they will be meeting in their other league matches.

The former El-Kanemi Warriors’ head coach has again lamented on the quality of players at his stable after he was offered the job barely two weeks to the start of the season but added that Heartland would be busy in the transfer market during the mid season.

He told SportingLife that his wards deserved all points against Nembe City and was still at loss as to why the centre referee overruled his earlier stand that it was a good goal but instead later agreed with his assistant referee who insisted it wasn’t a goal with his raised flag.

“We are going to ensure that we play at our maximum to ensure that we get our first win of the season. It won’t be easy but we are going to try our best to ensure that we don’t disappoint our fans again this term.

“I still want to point out that I am only making do with what I have and that by God’s grace we shall look at improving the team during the mid season transfer window. Our situation is not hopeles, we must remain hopeful that good things are coming our way,” Emeteole told SportingLife.

Heartland are 19th on the log with six points from eight matches while Enyimba are seventh with 11 points from seven matches.