Heartland technical manager Emmanuel Amuneke has expressed his desire to lead the Owerri-based club back to the Nigeria Premier Football League , NPFL, this season.
The Naze Millionaires narrowly missed out on promotion from the Nigeria National League , NNL, last season and will begin the new campaign with a home fixture against Crown FC on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Amuneke Ready For Promotion Fight
Amuneke said he was eager to secure a swift return to the top flight but stressed the importance of following the right process.
“I also want us to be back in the NPFL as quickly as possible,” Amuneke told the NNL media.
“But over the years, with my experience, I have learned to understand that in life, nothing happens without a process. Those processes began when I arrived here, and I am happy that today, we are in a position to compete.”
Read Also:NNL: Amuneke Confirms Heartland’s Preparations For 2026/2027 Season Underway
Pre-Season Preparations Crucial
The former Nigeria international also reflected on Heartland’s preparations for the 2026/27 season, explaining that their pre-season friendlies provided an opportunity to assess new players and develop a suitable playing style.
“When we started this season’s preparations, we played a friendly game against Enyimba and lost. We also played against Akwa United in Uyo, where we were beaten,” he said.
“The games were used to look at the new boys that we wanted to incorporate into the team. It was from there that we started developing a pattern that we wanted to play.”
Players Adapting To New Environment
Despite the disappointing results in those friendly matches, Amuneke expressed satisfaction with how quickly the new players had adapted to his tactical demands.
“We are happy and grateful that we have been able to see the players adapting so quickly. I will say kudos to everyone for the great job done,” he added.
“When you have a group of players who are willing and coachable, it is always a thing of joy to the coach.”
By Adeboye Amosu
