Heartland FC head coach Emmanuel Amuneke has expressed gratitude to the club’s fans following their thrilling 3-2 victory over Nasarawa United in an electrifying Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) encounter at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Sunday, December 1st, 2024 reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.
The dramatic fixture saw Heartland overturn a first-half deficit after Nasarawa United raced to a 2-1 lead through goals from Anas Yusuf and Garba Abubakar. Promise Anyanwu had initially put the hosts ahead before the visitors struck back. However, Heartland rallied in the second half with strikes from Surajudeen Lawal and Christian Molokwu to secure the vital three points.
Speaking to The Statesman Sports Correspondent during the post-match, Amuneke hailed the unwavering support from the Imo State faithful, attributing their energy to the team’s spirited second-half turnaround.
“I really appreciate Imo sports fans for the support and encouragement they brought, which helped us secure this much-needed win,” said Amuneke. “Even when the game was not in our favor, they stood behind us and cheered us on, which motivated the players to give everything they had.”
The former Super Eagles winger also lauded Nasarawa United, who remain rooted at the bottom of the NPFL standings but impressed with their composure and quality.
“When you look at their position on the table, it is a bit deceptive,” Amuneke noted. “They are a team with confidence, good ball movement, and fantastic players. In football, things don’t always go as planned, and we struggled a lot in the first half. Nasarawa grew into the game and showed they are a very capable side.”
Reflecting on the match, Amuneke admitted Heartland approached the game with heightened emotions, which initially impacted their performance. However, tactical adjustments and the introduction of fresh legs in the second half proved pivotal.
“In the second half, we had to move away from pure tactics and focus on character. The players showed great determination despite the odds. The changes we made gave us more control, and the players stepped up when it mattered most,” he explained.
Amuneke, who has been emphasizing hard work and resilience since taking charge of Heartland, reiterated his belief in steady progress.
“Success is not a straight line. It requires hard work and persistence, and I’ve always instilled this in the players. The journey may not always be smooth, but with dedication, we can achieve our goals,” Amuneke told the Statesman newspaper.
The coach concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the fans and commending the players for their commitment to making the supporters proud.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to see our fans happy. For their sake, the players gave everything they had to ensure we secured the win. I want to say a big thank you to the Heartland fans for their massive support.”
The victory moves Heartland closer to their season’s objectives as they look to climb the NPFL standings. Amuneke will hope the momentum from this dramatic win propels his side in the coming fixtures.
Credit: Heartland Media