Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, turned into a scene of sighs and lamentations on Sunday evening despite Heartland’s season-ending 2-1 triumph over Akwa United, as Emmanuel Amuneke’s side was relegated to the second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL), Completesports.com reports.
The Naze Millionaires’ hopes of survival in the 2024/2025 NPFL were clearly not in their hands going into the matchday 38 fixture. They needed a win and had to hope that El-Kanemi Warriors would drop points against Sunshine Stars in Maiduguri to retain their place in the top flight.
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Isaac Nassy gave the handful of spectators hope with what could be the season’s fastest goal—just five seconds after kick-off. The stadium came alive, even more so as reports from Maiduguri indicated the score there was still 0-0.
Amuneke’s men kept their foot on the throttle and finished the game as 2-1 winners. But their celebrations were cut short when news filtered in that El-Kanemi Warriors had won 1-0 against Sunshine Stars. It then dawned on all that Heartland had been relegated again—their fourth demotion in nine years.
Heartland’s relegation history, sadly, began in 2016. Then came demotions in 2022, 2024, and now 2025. Ironically, three of the four relegations occurred under the current administration.
Clusters of spectators gathered at different spots. The bars were virtually empty, save for a few where some fans had gone to drown their pain and emotions. The main talking point among the scattered groups was the team’s relegation.
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“What have we (fans) done to deserve this?” one fan who simply gave his name as Chima Ndukwe asked rhetorically.
“So we’re not going to watch NPFL football here in Owerri again? I can’t believe Heartland has truly been relegated,” said another fan, who identified himself as Onwukwe.
Heartland thus join Lobi Stars, Akwa United, and Sunshine Stars in the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the 2025/2026 season.
By Sab Osuji
7 Comments
The regime of terror imposed on imo state by the supreme court cannot produce anything good. Nothing will work in imo state untilthe mole is removed.
someone who people touted for the SE job is now relegated from the NPFL. Merit always wins but some Nigerians won’t comprehend.
@Codex, that is why it is good to recruit on merit. Nigeria coaches need to improve themselves.
@Amala Bednarek Ikpunobu – This is true, It is why it is good to recruit on merit. Nigeria coaches need to improve themselves. Even Eba (your bros) know this.
Thanks
Chima Eberibe Samuels…..come and carry your tin god o…..LMAOoo
Excuses left right and centre until he sank heartland eventually
His last 2 teams outside Nigeria sacked him for dragging them into relegation waters, heartland kept him because he is “their own” until he sank them completely……that is what we are good at in Nigeria…..putting sentiments ahead of competence.
Heartland would have long escaped relegation if they had done the needful. Ikorodu cut loose their coach earlier in the season after swimming in relegation waters for a while, Plateau utd did same, even Lobi did same but rather than with a competent coach, they went with a wannabe coach who is more useful as a presidential handbag than as a football coach.
I’ve always said it, we dodge a bullet each time we overlook these 94 guys for the SE head coach job. Most of them cannot do jack elsewhere nor can their CVs get them any decent coaching job outside Nigeria
This is a good validation of the hypocrisy and discriminatory actions of some lousy folks on this forum.
Each time the national team coaching position became vacant the usual suspects would bring up Amuneke with nothing to support their demigod.
Within the past decade, Amuneke ranks among the most underachieving coaches in the World.
What a calamity!
Is this not Heartland, formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale?
The NAZE MILLIONAIRES, a powerhouse of Nigerian football is relegated from the NPFL first division AGAIN?
This does not look good at all. This is woeful failure.
What is happening at that once glorious football club? How are the mighty fallen to such lowly depths?