The Head Coach of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, Christian Obi, has assured fans that his team will bounce back in spite of being relegated from the Nigerian Premier Football League.
He made this known to newsmen in Owerri on Monday as the team prepared for a final match of the 2023/2024 season.
The away match is to be played in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Obi, who hailed the fans for their unflinching support for the club, assured them that their continued love and loyalty would eventually pay off.
He hailed the players for their dedication, determination and hardwork, and urged them to keep faith with the club.
He said: “I want to tell the fans that we lost it in the first round of the season and we apologise and promise that we will bounce back and do better.
“We salute our fans for the love they have shown to the team and we assure that tomorrow will be better.
“We love you all.”
Reacting, the Chairman, Imo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, described the relegation as “a huge disappointment to all Imo people, especially football lovers”.
Chukwuemeka, however, urged the team’s management to correct any mistake so as to bounce back to the NPFL.
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According to the Imo SWAN chairman, only two teams will represent the state in the 2024/2025 Nigerian National League, hence an opportunity for Heartland to take advantage of.
Speaking, a football enthusiast, Uche Nnaoma, expressed regret that the club, which only returned to the NPFL, suffered relegation.
Naomi urged the club’s management to carry out an internal rejigging for a better performance in the coming season.
Also, another enthusiast, Edward Chilaka, a fitness trainer, urged the team to justify the resources expended on it by the state government and recommit to a better season.
He expressed hope that with the right management strategies, the team would come back stronger.
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