With plans to seek a quick return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after their relegation to the lower division at the end of the just-concluded season, Heartland FC of Owerri already earmarked ex-international, Emmanuel Amuneke, to take over the team.
Amuneke, who this past season worked undercover for his hometown club, has already started recruiting players for the new season. Heartland was relegated to the NPFL but may make a prompt return to the top league by buying the slot of Beyond Limits, who won promotion from the NNL to the elite division. It is understood that Beyond Limits will now sell to the highest bidder with the Imo State Government ready to break the bank for Heartland to play again in the NPFL.
Amuneke, 53, has previously worked in the domestic league with Julius Berger and Ocean Boys. He was recently considered for the Super Eagles’ top coaching post. Meanwhile, erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, is currently been considered to take over another NPFL side, Rivers United, ahead of the new season.
The former Enyimba International coach left his role as the Super Eagles boss due to differences with the Nigeria Football Federation as the federation was set to appoint a new Technical Advisor for the national team after Finidi George could only accrue one point from possible six points in the games against South Africa and Benin Republic.
The Pride of Rivers struggled towards the tail end of last season with Evans Ogenyi as the head coach after longterm coach, Stanley Eguma, was relieved of his position. The appointment of Finidi is expected to bring massive improvement to the team.