The Imo State Football Association (FA) has blamed players of Heartland FC for the club’s relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL), citing instability and lack of commitment.
Heartland FC, owned by the Imo State Government, returned to the NPFL last season after buying their way back from the lower division. Hopes were high following the appointment of renowned tactician and ex-Super Eagles star Emmanuel Amuneke as head coach.
Despite the high-profile leadership, the Owerri-based club endured a dismal 2024/2025 campaign, finishing 17th on the table and dropping back to the NNL.
Speaking on the club’s performance, Imo FA Chairman, Ifeanyi Dike, attributed the relegation largely to the conduct of the players. “Many things happened at the clubside—players leaving at the detriment of the club. You will start looking for replacements, so all these things affected Heartland as a team,” he said during an interview with Totorinews.
Dike expressed optimism that the team will bounce back stronger, revealing plans for restructuring. “I believe that Heartland FC will be reorganised and many changes will bring significant growth to the club,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has been retained and is expected to lead the team through a rebuilding phase ahead of the new season in the second tier of Nigerian football.
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