By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Technical Manager of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, Emmanuel Amuneke, has thumbed up the performance of his players after the hard-fought 1-0 victory over visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) week 11 match at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday.
This is even as former Nigeria football star also praised the hard work of members of Heartland’s technical crew, backroom staff other officials of the club but insists the club must keep a low profile to achieve the season’s set objective.
Heartland secured their third consecutive victories from three matches after the Naze Millionaires pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 on Sunday evening as midfielder Christian Nkwo’s stunner from long range only eight minutes into the encounter was all the Owerri side needed to thwart the stubborn ‘Owena Whales’ resolve in the tightly-contested game.
But speaking to reporters in Owerri after the encounter, Amuneke said Sunshine Stars put up a brilliant display but that his boys were determined to seal the three points and move up the league table.
Said he: “We are all happy with the win and it was a thing of joy that the players did their best to manage the situation despite the challenging circumstances,” Amuneke told the club’s media.
“We will continue the work knowing that we are not yet there. The players and others in the club played their roles and it effect is evident for all to see. We shall go to the next game expecting another good result in Kano.
Also speaking after the match, goalscorer (Nkwo) who was recently invited to the CHAN Eagles camp by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), expressed his joy for scoring the winning goal for Heartland on Sunday and pledged to always put in his best whenever he is selected by the coach.
The player whose long throw-in gifted Heartland the first goal in their 2-0 away win against Abia Warriors in Umuahia a week ago said he is capable of scoring more goals this season as he is beginning to understand coach Amuneke’s football philosophy.
Nkwo is one of the rockies the former Golden Eaglets FIFA U-17 World Cup winning coach has selected from the football academies across the country to form a new team for the 2024/2025 NPFL season alongside goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokoecha who was presented with the Imo SWAN-Heartland FC Player of the Month for October plaque after earning three clean sheets from five games in October before the match on Sunday. It was his sixth clean sheets from 10 games after the game with Sunshine Stars.
Meanwhile, against Sunshine Stars, Amuneke stuck with the players that defeated Abia Warriors at home with only one new introduction ink Tobi Iyanda in the starting XI. The player put up a good shift in the 2-0 away win against Abia Warriors in Umuahia while Promise Anyanwu whom he replaced dropped to the bench.
Nwokoecha was in goal as usual while Benjamin Victor, Ikwu Ejike, Christian Molokwu and Peters Afolayan were the defenders and forming a shield round the goalkeeper.
Nkwo, Ikechukwu Mgbemena, Tobi Iyanda iand Samuel Wisdom were up to it in the midfield with Michael Ogu and Surajudeen Lawal detailed with the striking duties.
The match started with both sides running to secure early control of the ball but it was the Naze Millionaires that made something out of the rush period when Nkwo scored a fantastic long range goal from the left side of the pitch eight minutes into the tie to give Heartland the lead.
He was faster to hit target while under pressure from a Sunshine Stars defender and the ball fortunately rested at the back of the net and the rest is history as Heartland ran away with 1-0 win.
The victory marked Heartland’s third consecutive league win as Amuneke’s team moved up to top half of the season for the first time this season as they now occupy the 10th spot with 15 points.
The Naze Millionaires will next embark on a long road trip up North where they will face in-form Sai Masugida as Kano Pillars are called in a NPFL Matchday 12 tie next Sunday.
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