Julius OkorieAfter relegation from Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season, Heartland of Owerri have engaged former international, Emmanuel Amuneke as new coach.
Amuneke who was unveiled on Monday in the office of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma is charged with the responsibility of returning the Nazi Millionaires who have been performing below par lately to elite division.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe former national U-17 coach who previously managed Egyptian club side, Misr Lel-Makkasa, until February 2021 is seen as having the wealth of experience to turn the fortune of the club around.
The former Taifa Stars of Tanzania coach is no new comer to the local league, having managed Ocean Boys and Julius Berger in the past.
Heartland had a very poor run in the premier league last season, finishing 18th on the log in the 20-team NPFL to bag relegation to second-tier league the Nigeria National League (NNL).
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The Owerri-based side will unfortunately compete in the NNL unless ongoing discussions to acquire the slot of newly promoted Beyond Limits Academy in the NPFL yields fruits before the kickoff of the new season later this month.
Prime Business Africa reports that Amuneke prior to this new appointment was listed among coaches to takeover Super Eagles job following departure of Portuguese Coach, Jose Peseiro, which was eventually given to Finidi George, who has since been unveiled as Coach of Rivers United after resigning from the Eagles job.
Heartland Seeking Return To Glory Days
Heartland who won four NPFL titles between 1987 and 1990, also reached finals of the 1988 African Cup of Champions Clubs and the 2009 CAF Champions League.
Unfortunately in recent times the club has become a shadow of itself struggling to perform to the expectations of their teeming fans.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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