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Heartland have resumed preparations ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, Technical Manager Emmanuel Amuneke, the former Super Eagles winger, has confirmed to Completesports.com.
“Yes, we’ve resumed for the new season. That was last Monday,” the former FC Barcelona of Spain winger responded on Tuesday when asked about the Naze Millionaires’ preparations for the new NNL campaign.
Heartland Begin New Campaign with Promotion Target
The four-time NPFL champions will embark on their second consecutive campaign in the second-tier domestic league following their relegation from the NPFL at the end of the 2024/2025 season.
Heartland narrowly missed an immediate return to the top flight after the 2025/2026 season, finishing third with 27 points behind Inter Lagos (29 points) and Beyond Limits (28 points).
Also Read: NNL: Amuneke Admits Heartland Missed Promotion Chance After First-Stanza Struggles
Inter Lagos secured the lone promotion ticket available in Conference A.
Now, Heartland will begin a fresh quest for a return to the prestigious NPFL.
“We’ve started out on a new journey, hoping that by trusting the process, we’ll get to our desired destination,” Amuneke, a former Julius Berger of Lagos and Zamalek of Egypt winger, said.
Amuneke Banking on Process to Secure NPFL Return
After helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with his trademark brace against Zambia in the final — his only appearance of the tournament — Amuneke was crowned the 1994 African Player of the Year.
Two years later, in 1996, he played a pivotal role as Nigeria won the men’s football gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the final to become the first African nation to win the event.
Cameroon became the second African men’s Olympic football champions at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Indomitable Lions came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Spain in the final before winning 5-3 on penalties.
