Tag: Heartland FC

Heartland FC have informed their supporters and the general public that the Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced an indefinite postponement of their Matchday 6 Southern Conference A fixture against Smart City FC.

The tie, earlier scheduled for Saturday, December 13 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, has been put on hold following adjustments by the NNL due to high pitch activity and fixture congestion at the Lagos venue.

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The NNL confirmed that the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Football Association have been duly briefed to ensure smooth coordination of all rescheduled matches.

Heartland FC will communicate a new date for the Smart City fixture once it is officially announced by the league body.

Meanwhile, the Naze Millionaires will be involved in a midweek tie in Akure against Sunshine Stars in a Matchday 5 tie tomorrow at the Ondo Sports Complex at the back of their 3-2 home win over Inter Lagos FC last weekend in Owerri.

Heartland FC stepped up their preparation with a short trip to Awka where they played a goalless draw against Solution FC yesterday in a friendly game.

The Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke travelled to Awka with mostly a young squad to ensure all the players at his disposal get fair share of game time as the Naze Millionaires continue their build up to the start of the Nigeria National League.

The young squad gave a good account of themselves and earned a draw at the Awka Township Stadium getting the praise of the sizeable spectators at the stadium.

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Amuneke made a wholesome change in the second half bringing in a new set of players to take the places of those that started the game.

Last weekend, Heartland also travelled to Uyo, where the team played a 1-1 draw against Akwa United in another friendly game.

Heartland will compete in the Southern Conference A of the NNL in the 2025-26 season where the club will face Crown FC, Edel FC, E-World FC, Abia Comets, Sunshine Stars, Godswill Akpabio United FC, Beyond Limits FC, Smart City and Inter Lagos.

Heartland FC has confirmed its full readiness for the 7^th  edition of the Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Pre-Season Tournament, scheduled to run from August 2^nd  to 9^th.

The club’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, praised the tournament’s founder, ex-international Ifeanyi Ekwueme, for his unwavering commitment in sponsoring the competition single-handedly for seven consecutive years.

 “This tournament is more than just pre-season—it’s a celebration of Nigerian football and development,” said Amuneke, adding that Heartland FC is prepared to make a strong showing.

The tournament will feature top-tier Nigerian clubs, including Enyimba FC and Rangers International, competing in a group-stage format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals and final.

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Enyimba’s head coach, Stanley Eguma, highlighted the competition as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune tactics ahead of the NPFL season starting August 22.

Similarly, Rangers GM Amobi Ezeaku expressed excitement over the club’s participation, calling the tournament a key fixture in their pre-season calendar.

Now expanding to multiple venues of Aba, Enugu and possibly Owerri, the tournament continues to grow in prestige and impact.

With clubs like Heartland, Enyimba, Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars and Rangers primed for action, the 2025 edition promises thrilling football and a strong platform for talent discovery.

Heartland FC is set to resume for the upcoming football season on Monday, July 21^st at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

According to a press statement signed by the club’s Team Manager, Mmaduabuchi Osuorji, who acted on the instructions of team’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, all players, officials, and members of the technical crew are expected to report by 7:00 AM on Monday.

The new season will usher in a renewed culture at the club, with discipline, promptness, dedication and professionalism emphasized as key values for the Heartland FC family moving forward.

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“On the directive of our esteemed Technical Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Amuneke(MFR) this is to formally inform all players and technical staff of Heartland Football Club Owerri that resumption of duties is scheduled as follows: 21/7/25. Time: 7:00am. Venue: Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

“All team members are expected to report promptly and in full readiness as we begin preparations for the new phase. Punctuality, discipline and professionalism will be strictly observed.

“Let us come back with renewed energy and determination as we aim for greater achievements in this new phase.”

The management of  Heartland FC  has expressed  shock on  the demise of over 20 Team Kano athletes, officials and journalists on their way back to the Pyramid City after the  2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

The Team Kano representatives were reportedly only 50 kilometres close to Kano  when the unfortunate incident happened .

In a condolence message, Heartland FC  has  beckoned on the Kano State Government and sports stakeholders to take the deaths in good faith, asking  the state  to take proactive steps to forestall recurrence.

The club prayed for the repose of the lost  souls and called on the federal government to focus attention on working on the Nigerian roads which have become death-trap.

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Meanwhile, Heartland FC has also extended condolences  to the Imo Sports Commissioner, Honourable Obinna Onyeocha, over the recent death of  his mother.

The Owerri-based club in a condolence message implored Honourable Onyeocha and his family members to take heart at  this grieving period.

The  club  enjoined the Commissioner not to grief for long,  noting that mama has gone to rest and that they must work towards rebuilding the legacy mama left behind through her dint of hard work.

Heartland FC have joined Nigerians in mourning  over the demise former Green Eagles skipper, Christian Chukwu, who died last weekend after a brief illness in Enugu.

Chukwu, who led Nigeria  to the Tunisia 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, was a former Technical Director of Heartland.

Heartland’s current  Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, in a statement, described Chukwu as a special person that put South East region and Nigeria on the world map with his football artistry.

He said his death was unpleasant but  consolation lies  in the fact that he lived a good life as such, he would fondly be remembered for his good deeds and  service to his fatherland and Heartland.

“We mourn the exit of a giant Iroko tree who set the pace that most of us followed thereafter. He was very good in the profession he chose and was dedicated to it,” Amuneke told the club’s media. “We are saddened by his death but are consoled that he lived a good life and was a shining light for us. We will continue to miss him.”

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Meanwhile, Heartland have expressed their gratitude to Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, their fans, supporters and others who thronged the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu to inspire their 2-0 win over Rangers  in the latest Oriental derby played last Sunday.

The Scientific Boys who got their goals through Surajudeen Lawal and Isaac Nassy were not lacking in support throughout the encounter had Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, a former Imo Governorship Candidate cheering from the stands after he mobilised two coaster buses filled with Heartland FC fans to the stadium from Owerri.

Amuneke who dedicated the away win to all Imolites thumbed up their support even as he challenged them to sustain the support until the end of the season.

“It was a sweet win backed up by the support from our fans. We appreciate Ugwumba Uche Nwosu’s support for the role he played helping our Imo fans to get to Enugu and return back in one piece and others who were there for us in Enugu. We owe you all this wonderful celebration,” Amuneke told Heartland Media.

“We know the job is not done yet and that we must fight in the remaining games of the season to ensure we get our place in the topflight next season.”

Heartland midfielder, Emmanuel Charles, has emerged as Imo SWAN Heartland FC Player of the Month for March following his individual brilliance and consistency in the month under review.

The midfielder got over 90 percent of the vote cast by members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo Chapter to become the seventh winner of the prestigious award.

He defeated his teammates namely  Stephen Ezeamaiwe, Terdoo Shimagande, Anthony Omaka, Christian Molokwu, Samuel Agu, Chinedu Ozor and Suraju Lawal who won the award for the second time last month.

The games played last month were against Ikorodu City, Bayelsa United, Remo Stars, CP Strikers, Abia Warriors, and Sunshine Stars and the shortlisted players were picked as the most outstanding of these games.

Charles who provided the positive vibe and calming influence to Heartland  midfield in most of the games he played, was among the few turning points of an underwhelming month which produced just a win.

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The midfielder will be presented with the award plague and a token prize money courtesy of an anonymous sponsor on Sunday, April 20th shortly before the home game versus Kwara United.

It should be recalled that Peters Afolayan (September), Ebuka Nwokoecha (October), Surajudeen Lawal (November), Christian Molokwu (December) and Anthony Omaka (January, 2025) and Surajudeen Lawal (February, 2025) again were previous winners of the award.

Imo SWAN Heartland FC Player of the Month Award is solely organised by Cosmos Chukwuemeka led Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter with the support of an anonymous sponsor and it is with the aim of rewarding the most outstanding Heartland FC player every month until the end of the season when the Imo SWAN Heartland FC Player of the Season would be unveiled.

After overcoming CP Strikers of Borno yesterday, Heartland FC  will slug it out with Rangers in a Round of 32 President Federation Cup Oriental derby on April 2^nd .

It is the top fixture of the Round of 32. Rangers had on Tuesday defeated Kano Pillars 1-0 to book their spot in the next round through Chiedozie Okorie while the Naze Millionaires glided past CP Strikers through Terdoo Shimagande and Anthony Omaka’s second half goals in Jos.

In other Round of 32 fixtures, Warri Wolves will clash with Shooting Stars. The Seasiders beat Wilbros FC of Rivers State 2-0 while the Oluyole Warriors got a walkover win over Zamfara United who did not honour their tie fixed for Abuja.

El Kanemi Warriors will face El Kanemi Warriors in another all Nigeria Premier Football League tie while Bayelsa United will lie in wait for FC Basira that annihilated their foes, Atlantic FC of Niger State 5-0.

In other ties Lobi Stars will try Solution FC for size; Sunshine Stars will trade tackles with Plateau United; Beyond Limits and Rivers United have a date in the next round while Ikorodu City will engage Crown FC in a South West derby after managing to dislodge Sunshine Stars Under 19 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at full time.

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CONFIRMED 32ND ROUND FIXTURES:

El-kanemi Warriors vs.  Enyimba

Bayelsa United vs.  Basira

Warri Wolves vs. Shooting Stars

Wikki Tourists vs. Rovers

Ikorodu City vs. Crown FC

Beyond Limits vs. Rivers United

Inter Lagos vs. Jnr. Danburam

Lobi Stars vs. Solution

Kwara United vs. Gombe United

Sunshine Stars vs. Plateau United

Osun United vs. E-World

Bendel Insurance vs. Adamawa United

Heartland vs.  Rangers