Heartland captain wants turf for NPFL

Heartland captain, Julius Ubido has said the side greatest desire is to prosecute their comeback to the top-flight at their hallow ground, Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

The Naze Millionaires home turf, Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri is undergoing reconstruction and rehabilitation at the moment with less than 35 days to the commencement of the new league season as the Owerri outfit train at their camp base in Naze.

The Owerri side will kick start on home ground the 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 1 clash against Sunshine Stars.

Ubido said despite the somehow lull in their build-up to the new football season the side are very much ready to compete favourably for laurel in the coming season.

“I want us to play the whole season at our hallow ground – Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri as it will act as a boost to our campaign.

“I do not want us to be relocated to any other place as such a move will rob us the support of our teeming fans.

“The stadium is under reconstruction at the moment, no form of football activity is going on there as we train at our camp base in Naze.

“I just hope that everything will be done to get the place ready for the NPFL matchday 1 clash against Sunshine Stars.

“Sunshine Stars are not pushovers, we must be at our very best and well-oiled to get the first three points.

“Victory in the clash will go a long way to boost our campaign in the top-flight.

“Originally, I was thinking that we will kick-off our campaign on away but playing at home should be a great motivation.

“The coaches and management are doing their best under the peculiar circumstance to get us ready for the new season.

“We are supposed to go on closed camping but that’s not coming through at least now may be after the festive period.

“Fund constraint is the biggest challenge confronting us as well as hampering the side’s preseason programmes.

“We train daily to keep fit hoping to hit the ground running once fund is available for the numerous programmes lined up for the season.

“Ours is not the best of the circumstance but we strongly believe that something will happen fast and quick.

“We had similar experience in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and we conquered at last we hope to conquer again in the top-flight.

“I believe everything will be fine to see us campaign very well in our comeback to the top-flight,” said the former Lobi Stars utility player to supersport.com.

Heartland are among the promoted sides to the top-flight others are Go Round FC, Kwara United and Yobe Desert Stars.