As reactions continue trailing the relegation of Heartland of Owerri from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), some lovers of the round leather game have suggested that the club should buy a slot in order to remain in the top-flight next season.
However, the chairman of Imo State Football Association (ISFA), Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Dike pointed out that it is not a decision that can be taken solely by him and his executive committee.
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Rather than jump at the opportunity of seeing The Naze Millionaires get back into the NPFL without playing in the second-tier Nigerian National League (NNL) next season, Barrister Dike stressed that Imo State government, the ministry of sports and other stakeholders must all be involved in reaching such a crucial decision.
He, however, predicted that Heartland would return to the NPFL one way or the other, and faulted anyone who sees their latest relegation as a shock.
The legal luminary-turned-football administrator added: “It’s not a surprising thing, if I may say the truth. Anybody who follows football very well will know that sometimes there are up and down stages in this game.
“However, the question is, when a club of such nature, a traditional club like this, goes down, have they been able to identify what the problem is and go immediately to resolve it?
“That is what we are now going to do for Heartland. I bet you, and I challenge anyone to fault me, Heartland is coming back next season to the NPFL.
“Heartland is a traditional club, but we probably did not get everything done properly as it should be at one point or the other, which affected us.”
Dike went on to affirm his belief that the Owerri-based side would bounce back quickly, with a view that renewed support from the state government and all football lovers will revive their fortune, even if they do not buy a slot that would keep them in the NPFL.
The Imo FA top shot averred, “I know, with the support of the governor of Imo State, the club’s management and the authorities in Imo State, Heartland will rise again.
“I know they will go back to the drawing board and resolve whatever being the problem we faced this time around.
“Let it not be seen as a surprise, though, because it happens like this once in a while in football – big teams go down and come up. The most important thing is your ability and prowess to come up immediately after going down.
“If it’s only about going down, it’s normal for a team to be relegated. So, nobody should express surprise.”
Dike then spoke categorically about the possibility of Heartland buying another club’s space in order to remain in the NPFL, but he tactfully pointed out that such a decision is beyond any unilateral declaration by him.
“I know something good will happen; but I cannot expressly say on my own that Heartland is going to buy a slot or that they are going to play in the NNL.
“However, whichever way Heartland is going, we are definitely sure Heartland is coming back.
“The issue of buying a slot is not something the FA can take a decision on alone, as a football body. It involves the state government, the ministry of sports, the FA, and the club’s officials. It even involves the fans and the players. All the stakeholders will be involved.
“For now, we are going back to the drawing board to identify what is our problem and resolve it.
“We must resolve it timeously to enable us come back as expected. Be rest assured, Heartland is coming back,” Dike reiterated
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