Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Imo Chapter has urged Heartland FC to put up concerted efforts to ensure they pick one of the four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) tickets at the Nigeria National League Super 8 Tournament in Asaba, Delta State slated for July 2nd to 9th.
Heartland FC qualified for the Super 8 in grand style from Southern Conference Group B4 without losing any of their 10 games and SWAN, Imo Chapter while commending the club for a job well done during the regular season tasked the club to approach all the games at the Super 8 very seriously to achieve their return to the NPFL.
The Sports Writers in a press statement jointly signed by its chairman, Everest Ezihe and Secretary, Tunde Liadi also thumbed up the decision of Heartland FC management led by Promise Nwachukwu to camp the team in Eket for some days before their Naija Super 8 zonal playoff tie with Enyimba which they narrowly lost by a lone goal to their South East neighbours.
SWAN, Imo reckoned that even though Heartland FC were beaten in Eket in the zonal playoff, the world witnessed the club’s enterprising display and the fact that despite playing in the lower league, NPFL reigning champions, Enyimba were only lucky to beat them.
The body while also hailing the decision of the club to move straightaway to Asaba for further close camping from last Sunday after the Naija Super 8 zonal playoff warned Heartland FC players and officials not to be carried away by their regular season unbeaten streak but work harder to ensure that they return to the topflight where they truly belong.
SWAN, Imo nonetheless praised the untiring effort of the Senator Hope Uzodinma led Imo Government through the Imo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Honourable Emeka Okoronkwo for helping to lead Heartland FC promotion back to the NPFL charge and also ensuring that the club prepare for the playoffs with less distractions.
Heartland FC will slug it out with FC One Rockets, Abeokuta Stormers, Sporting Lagos, Katsina United, Kano Pillars, EFCC and DMD FC in the race to pick one of the four NPFL tickets as from July 2nd through 9th ahe Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
