Calls on the Owerri side to win NNL title ; ends season unbeaten
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo Chapter has hailed the gallantly and the brave disposition of Heartland FC which secured their return to the Nigeria Premier Football League on Wednesday after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Sporting Lagos in the last group game of the NNL Super 8 for the Southern Conference.
Heartland FC began the playoffs on a shaky note playing a barren draw against Abeokuta Stormers before the slim win over FC One Rocket in the second game.
The Owerri side completed the mission on Wednesday following a 2-1 win over Sporting Lagos in the last group game of the Southern Conference to top the group with seven points from three games.
The bonafide Sports Writers in Imo State in a press statement signed jointly by the Association’s Chairman, Everest Ezihe and Secretary, Tunde Liadi praised the fantastic performance of Heartland FC which has seen them remain unbeaten in the league in 13 games and just a game away from going the entire season unbeaten in the league.
SWAN, Imo hailed the doggedness, tenacity and resourcefulness of the Owerri darling team that braved the odds to pick the NPFL ticket and the body is thanking the club head coach, Christian Obi and his technical crew, the players and the wonderful management led by Promise Nwachukwu for a job well done.
The body also thumbed up the pragmatic steps taken by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma to ensure that Heartland FC that got relegated last season got an instant return ticket to the topflight with well orchestrated plans to aid the club’s swift return.
SWAN, Imo also reserved special accolades for the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo who helped to properly carry out the matching order of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma for the Eastern Heartland side to return to the topflight where they actually belong.
In as much as Imo SWAN is pleased with Heartland FC’s qualification to the NPFL, the body is admonishing the club to end the NNL Super 8 Playoff with a flourish by beating Kano Pillars on Friday in the final and end the season as the best NNL club and also with a rare feat of remaining unbeaten throughout the league season.
Imo SWAN wants Heartland FC and Imo State Government to learn from the mistakes of the previous season that led to the club’s exit from the topflight and fashion out workable plans to ensure the Naze Millionaires become a mainstay in the premiership just like other notable clubs in the NPFL.
