The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Heartland

  • Heartland ‘ll soon overcome challenges-Nkwopara

    Heartland ‘ll soon overcome challenges-Nkwopara

     • Owerri side braces up for Dolphins’ tie

    Heartland of Owerri have reiterated that their troublesome periods would soon be a thing of the past as they welcome Dolphins of Port Harcourt to the Dan Anyiam Stadium in a match day 26 cracker slated for today.

    The Naze Millionaires recently sacked their coaches and are in search of new ones among other rough patches witnessed by the club in recent times.

    The Owerri side’s media officer, Cajetan Nkwopara enthused to SportingLife that Heartland would soon overcome their difficulties as they have started seeing the signs of improvement in the club.

    Though the club lost 0-1 to Gombe United at Pantami Stadium, Nkwopara noted that it was only the solitary goal scored by the Savannah Scorpions that indicated the difference stating that Heartland matched their hosts in all the departments of the game last Wednesday.

    He exuded confidence that Heartland would return to winning ways this weekend as they welcome Dolphins to Owerri in the final game of the three closed door ties punishment enforced by the League Management Company(LMC) over the alleged unruly behaviour of their fans in a recent league match.

    Nkwopara noted that fans and supporters of the club would not be allowed in, in compliance to the directives from the LMC, but affirmed that major stakeholders especially the media, medical officials, ball boys, match officials and complete teams of both sides would be allowed in.

    “Our trouble times will soon be a thing of the past. We have signs to prove that. In the last game we played at Gombe we were very impressive but sadly Gombe United got their only goal and sat on it. Besides the goal, there was no difference between Gombe United and Heartland as we matched them in all areas of the game.

    “We have another home match against Dolphins and we are set to start winning again. We are gradually overcoming our difficulties and come Sunday, we shall beat Dolphins to launch a fresh start.

    “The move towards hiring a new coach is also on as all the parties involved are still at the negotiation table. Heartland will make its position known immediately a new club is named.

    “We enjoin the media to come and watch our game on Sunday because it is open to them among other key football stakeholders,” Nkwopara said.

     

  • Gombe Utd to add to Heartland’s woes

    Gombe Utd to add to Heartland’s woes

    GOMBE United say they are looking to add to the woes of Heartland FC in the Glo Premier League when both sides clash in a Week 25 match today.

    The Naze Millionaires were shocked 1-0 by visiting Kwara Utd in a Week 24 game in Owerri, last week and will be hoping for better a result against the Savannah Scorpions.

    However, the Gombe side’s Assistant General Manager media, Tanimu Umar believes his side can add another defeat to Heartland’s records

    He said: “The players returned home Monday night and had a light training session Tuesday as they prepare for Wednesday’s (today’s) Week 25 game against a team wounded by home defeat over the weekend.

    “We don’t want to drop points at home anymore, but it’s sure going to be tough one, as Heartland would want to at least make up for the loss to Kwara Utd.

    “Mind you, we’ll be playing them with all we have, and certainly not with kid’s gloves.”

    When SportingLife asked him if the club had made an official statement to the LMC over their claim that some of their officials were beaten by Sharks fans during last week’s encounter, Umar replied: “It’s a pity such incidents still happen in our domestic game.

    “If they said we lied, then the LMC’s findings will determine if their fans did or did not attack our officials.

    “The club have officially written to the League Board regarding what happened in Port-Harcourt since Sunday evening.”

     

  • Heartland fire coach Ndubuisi Nduka

    Heartland fire coach Ndubuisi Nduka

    Heartland coach, Ndubuisi Nduka has been fired after a poor run of results, officials have announced. The players have also been placed on half pay.

    Heartland have now asked two assistant coaches, Bob Acholonu and Mbwas Mangut to take charge of the Owerri club.

    Team media officer, Cajetan Nwokpara told MTNFootball.com about the action taken by Fan Ndubuoke-led management.

    “The management has asked two assistant coaches, Bob Acholonu and Mangut Mbwas, to be in charge of the team temporarily following the suspension of coach Ndubuisi Nduka’s led crew due to poor performance,” Nwokpara disclosed.

    “Negotiations are ongoing in an effort to employ a new technical adviser for the team. The players have also been placed on half salary.The decision was taken due to failure of the coaches to meet the 12-point target from five matches set for the team.”

    On Sunday, Heartland lost 1-0 at home to Kwara United.

     

  • Heartland to bounce back against Kaduna United

    Heartland to bounce back against Kaduna United

    Ousted Federation Cup champions, Heartland will return to their quest for league triumph as they take on Kaduna United today. The Nazi Millionaires who were edged out on 5-4 penalty by Akwa United, displayed good sportsmanship immediately after the FA tie when congratulated the ambitious national league side for their victory. The Owerri landlords did not hesitate after the final whistle to post submissions on the match on twitter

    “And we are out of this year’s Nigerian Federation Cup after having lost 5-4 to Akwa United on penalties. Congrats to Akwa United,” they submitted.

    The team had to stay back to face Kaduna United in one of the week 23 league ties.

    Although Heartland won the reverse fixture 4-1 in Week 3, Kaduna United have been impressive at home this season and will be looking forward to another home victory an indication that Heartland will have to fight hard to earn the needed point.

     

  • Mba named to face Heartland

    Mba named to face Heartland

    SUPER Eagles striker Ezekiel Mba has been named in the Akwa United squad to tackle Cup holders, Heartland, in the Federation Cup quarterfinals clash on Wednesday at the Kaduna Township Stadium.

    Mba arrived in Lagos on Sunday evening from Abidjan where the Super Eagles fought gallantly to edge the Elephants of Ivory Coast for a place in the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

    Akwa United coach Justin Tenger said the striker immediately contacted him upon arrival in Lagos on Sunday and declared his readiness to be part of the squad to challenge Heartland for a spot in the last four of the annual football fiesta.

    “Of course, Ezekiel Mba will be featured against Heartland on Wednesday. We’ve been on constant communication since his arrival on Sunday and he is excited to contribute his quota to the side’s battle for glory in the Federation Cup.

    “Oh yes, his presence is a big plus and great relief for some of my attacking headaches. The entire team is happy having him in their midst for the crucial knockout game against Heartland.

    “The camp is alive once again, the mood and spirit among the players very high. It’s a joy for one to have his best tool on special assignment.

    “The game against Heartland will be tough and a test of endurance. I think we’re battle-ready to confront Heartland.

    “Right now any team that wants to beat my side must work extra-hard, my players are in a killer mood and will surely overrun Heartland on Wednesday,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United are already settled in Kaduna for the grudge game to determine who progresses to the semifinals.

    The Uyo-based side defeated Enugu Rangers 2-1 in the round of 16 matches decided at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, while the Cup holders were made to sweat by Sharks before winning 4-3 on penalties in Calabar.

     

  • FEDERATION CUP: Heartland don’t scare us-Akwa Utd

    FEDERATION CUP: Heartland don’t scare us-Akwa Utd

    AHEAD of Wednesday’s Federation Cup Round of 8 tie, Akwa Utd say defending champions Heartland don’t scare them.

    The club’s spokesperson Uwem Ekoh said: “Akwa Utd are ready for Heartland on Wednesday at the Kaduna centre for the quarter final of the 2013 Federation Cup.

    “We have been so fantastic and committed in the Federation Cup this year, so we can’t fear Heartland.

    “Note that all of us are in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). We have a strong team and the spirit in the camp is high. We hope to qualify for the semi-finals and proceed to the final.

    “I can assure you that the two teams from Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Utd and Akwa Starlets will play in the final billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.”

  • OPERATION HALT PROBLEM IN HEARTLAND Panel inaugurated by Heartland to submit report on Tuesday

    OPERATION HALT PROBLEM IN HEARTLAND Panel inaugurated by Heartland to submit report on Tuesday

    The panel of inquiry set by the management of Heartland of Owerri to look into the problem affecting the club in recent times will submit its report latest on Tuesday this week, a top official of the committee has told SportingLife.

    Making this known on telephone, the Chairman of the committee, Chief McDonald Amadi, told SportingLife that the panel had already rounded off deliberations and is now in the process of typing out the report on the outcome of their investigation.

    He didn’t disclose the decision reached but promised that the chairman of Heartland, Chief Fan Ndubuoke, who instituted the three man committee would be informed and asked for a convenient date for the panel to hand over its investigation.

    “We are through with our findings and we shall submit our report to the chairman of Heartland either Monday or Tuesday next week(this week).We did a very thorough job, we strove not to take sides at all. We shall call the Chairman of the club and get a convenient time for both parties either Monday or Tuesday. We have almost completed the typing of the report,” Chief Amadi told SportingLife.

    The Naze Millionaires were recently in mini crisis with the club losing about five out of six games at a time. This prompted that management of the club on the orders of the former commissioner for youth and sports, Kenneth Emelu, to set a panel that would look into the remote and immediate reasons for the problems.

    The height of the impasse was the club’s second home loss of the season to Enyimba at the Dan Anyiam Stadium,Owerri, with allegation of match fixing and sabotage renting the air.

    It led to the indefinite suspension clamped on two officials of the club,Tonnex Chukwu, the head of protocol and Ramson Madu, the Assistant chief Coach. Both have since denied all the allegations levelled against them.

     

  • Heartland’s TM unhappy with ban

    Heartland’s TM unhappy with ban

    Heartland’s Team Manager, Promise Nwachukwu has shown his displeasure at the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) for his six match ban despite the fact that there was overwhelming evidence he never committed any wrongdoing.

    The Naze Millionaires’ TM was given six match ban from all competitions in the country for allegedly beaten up centre referee Bamangar Aminu, from Zamfara after Heartland’s home loss to Enyimba at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, in Owerri, while the club was also ordered to play three home matches behind closed doors.

    But Nwachukwu stated that when he was invited by the Disciplinary Committee of the NFF in company of the referee he allegedly assaulted, the match official denied that he touched him before the committee.

    He added that as a peace loving Nigerian, he would abide with the position of Heartland FC on the ruling but expressed his dismay at being punished unjustly for action he never committed.

    Quoting the words of Nwachukwu:”I have been told to serve 6 match ban and our club has been told to play three home matches behind closed doors. I was surprised when I Ieard I had been banned from attending six of our matches. I was invited to Abuja and I explained my role before the Disciplinary Committee . The centre referee, Bamangar Aminu from Zamfara was also called and was asked if I beat him. He denied but was asked again, why he said in his report that he was beaten by a certain Promise Nwachukwu? He was dumbfounded. I ought to have been left free.

    “I will abide with the position of my club on the ruling but it is not fair.”

     

  • Heartland to detractors: Let’s work in harmony

    Heartland to detractors: Let’s work in harmony

    •Naze Millionaires want end to in-fighting, back-stabbing

     

    A top official of Heartland has warned detractors of the Owerri side to desist from the ignoble acts and help lift the Naze Millionaires up, since the club belongs to all Imo indigenes and not an individual.

    The problem in the team got to its height recently when the club lost their second home match of the season against Enyimba,which has not happened in recent times at Owerri.

    There have been claims and counter-claims as to the real source of their misnomers that a top official of the club who does not want his name in print in a passionate plea to all said that the current management of Heartland cannot be there forever but that the club as an institution would continue to remain.

    He thus appealed to all self confessed enemies of the club to sheath their swords and unite to ensure that Heartland turn the corner and still bring laurels to the people of the State just like in the past.

    “Heartland does not belong to me nor does it belong to any individual. We are only here now, we don’t know who will be there tomorrow. If you say you derive pleasure in seeking the downfall of the club, it is not the management of the club that you are plotting their downfall but the downfall of your State club.

    “Let’s join hands together and strive to lift the club so that our targetted goals can be reached,” the top official noted.

    Heartland opened the second stanza, the same way they started the season and ended the first stanza-with a defeat. They lost at home to Nembe City during the first league game of the season and also lost to Enyimba same when the second round commenced on July 3rd. They thereafter got beaten by Nembe City 2-0 on July 7th as the premier league newcomers completed a sensational double just like Enyimba over the former Nigeria league winners.

    A panel was recently inaugurated to consider the remote and the immediate reasons for the club’s slide on the league table and also probe the reason behind the home loss to Enyimba. Two of the club’s top officials were also recently suspended for alleged anti-club activities.

  • Heartland read the riot act to coaches, players

    Heartland read the riot act to coaches, players

    • Want wins in four of the next five matches
    • Panel to investigate the club’s problems inaugurated

    The Management of Heartland of Owerri has given the coaches and players of the club an ultimatum to amass at least 12 points from their next five matches of the Globacom Premier League or be ready to face severe sanctions.

    The chairman of the club, Fan Ndubuoke, told sports writers that the the decision was arrived at in order to halt the recent spate of bad results which saw the club lose five of six league games.

    Ndubuoke also stated that issues concerning renewal of coaches’ contracts had been suspended until the fortunes of the team improved.

    The club also imposed other sanctions on players and coaches including an embargo on frivolous journeys.

    To fortify the technical crew, a former player of the club, Mangut Mbwas, was recruited as an assistant coach.

    The Heartland boss also reminded the players to be dedicated and determined to succeed. He advised them to eschew lifestyles that negatively affected their present performance as well as their lives after retirement.

    Heartland also set up a panel of inquiry to proffer solutions to problems facing the club this season.

    The three-man committee has Mcdonald Amadi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Media as chairman, V.T. Eke and Mazi Chuka Iregbu as members.

    The panel, which was given two weeks to submit its report, has the following as its terms of reference:

    1. Investigate the possibility that the club’s home matches may have been compromised or sold out.

    2. If the above is in the affirmative, identify the role of management members, coaches and or players in any such sell out.

    3. Identify reasons for the sudden decline in the club’s performance in the league.

    4. Identify the person or persons within Imo State working against the progress of the team and promoting the perceived gang up against the club at home.

    5. Investigate the role of security agents in the intimidation of the team at its home ground.

    SportingLife recalls that two Heartland officials were recently placed on indefinite suspensions in the wake of the club’s 0-1 home loss to Enyimba.