Heartland FC has announced the signing of 30 players ahead of 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season which starts begins this weekend, Sports 247 reports.
This is coming barely forty eight hours after the NPFL confirmed that Heartland will be taking the space of Beyond Limits Football Academy due to the latter’s “concerns regarding dual interest” and out of the last season’s four relegated teams only Heartland FC signifies interest of playing in the league, according to a statement from the league body.
In a bid to change the fortunes of the club, former Super Player, Emmanuel Amuneke was named as the coach of the team and he saw a month long ‘strenuous screening process’ out of which he sanctioned the signing of 30 players in order to build a new Heartland FC that can challenge for the title in the NPFL.
At a colourful unveiling ceremony held in the evening of Wednesday (4 September 2024) at the renovated Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri attracted football fans and all the 30 players were presented to the public by coach Amuneke, who he described as very fit, young and energetic who are capable of restoring Heartland FC lost glory.’
The new players as Elvis Ori (Bayelsa United), Kelvin Ogunga (Bayelsa United), Udochukwu Anumudu (Abia Warriors), Louis Umoh Anthony (Heartland Feeders), Alex Godwin (Niger Tornadoes), Julius Namitanie (Giant Brillars), Offor Emmanuel Chibueze (Giant Brillars), Adoh Chuks Frank (De First Atlanta FA), Ebuka Nwokoecha (Diamond FA).
Others include; Olanrewaju Molade (Giant Brillars), Chukwudi Agor (Giant Brillars), Ikwu Ejike (Rangers International FC), Osinachi Wilson (Eagle Eye), Nnaemeka Christian Nkwo (Giant Brillars), Ezra David (Superstars FA), Uchenna David (Foster FA)
Bobo Chubuike (Dynamic Shuttle), Onuwa Temple Chigozirim (Er7), Chikamso Obasi (De Gideons FA)
Nkemakolam Chigozie Godwin (Umuakuma FA),
Chukwuma Chinedu (Taiye Academy).
Also in the list are; Kelvin Onah (Legacy Stars)
Samuel Wisdom (Giant Brillars), Emmanuel Charles (Rangers International FC), Joshua Odo (Rangers International FC), Suraju Lawal (Giant Brillars), Chukwuma Agoha (Brighter Tomorrow FC
Obinna Okere (Brighter Tomorrow), Benjamin Victor (Brighter Tomorrow) and Chukwuma Agor (Brighter Tomorrow).
Amuneke said in his remark: “They are young, fit, energetic and a product of the prudent and strenuous screening process with the vision of restoring the glory of the state-owned team”.
The Governor of the Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who is the chief financier of the team says the new team are here to win the league as his message was delivered by his Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie who represented the Governor at the event.
“For years the team has not carried the NPFL Cup, but will do it this coming season. We are ready to do everything necessary to support Heartland to lift the trophy, the team is ready with the crop of new young players and experienced technical team led by the Technical Adviser/Manager,” Anyaehie submits.
Heartland will begin their campaign on Sunday at home against Enyimba, the first of many Oriental Derbies in the season.
