The new technical helmsman at Heartland, Fidelis Ilechukwu, is upbeat that the Naze Millionaires are in good shape and will not be found wanting if the 2019/2020 NPFL season starts today, Completesports.com reports.
Ilechukwu nicknamed ‘The Working One’, joined the Owerri side this term following a move away from MFM of Lagos.
And having supervised the five time league winners’ preseason, Ilechukwu exudes firm confidence that his charges are ready to roll in the coming campaign at least 70%.
“No team is ever 100% before the start of a new season,” Ilechukwu posited.
“But on our side, we have done a lot of work during this preseason. And I can say, yes, we are up to 70% ready for the season even if it starts today,”
Ilechukwu arrived Owerri amidst high expectation given his profile as National U23 team assistant coach and his impressive performance as MFM FC coach.
He also nurtured MFM for 13 years and led the church club to the continent after lifting the World Church Cup a couple of years back.
He hints that quality signings underlines essential part of his team’s readiness for the new season contest.
“Of course, we made good shopping during the transfer window to bolster our team,” Ilechukwu told Completesports.com.
“We brought some experience and quality players like Chijioke Akuneto, Guiscard Tchato, from Republic of Benin and Julius Emiloju who all worked with me at MFM.
“Don’t forget that Chinonso Ugochukwu joined us from Enyimba and also Christian Pyagbara who has played for the Flying Eagles and CHAN Eagles too.”
Completesports.com understands that Pyagbara is making a return to the domestic top flight after a brief spell at Damac FC, a Saudi Arabian second tier league side following a move from Tunisian side, Avenir Sportif de Gabes.
Before joining AS Gabes in 2018, Pyagbara starred for Akwa United and Sharks of Port Harcourt.
Emiloju and Akuneto joined Heartland from Sunshine Stars where they spent just a season after leaving MFM at the end of 2017/2018 season.
By Sab Osuji
