Imo SWAN frowns at Heartland’s failure to secure NPFL return

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter, has frowned at the inability of Heartland FC to gain promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) after a disappointing Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.

This is the first time in the history of the club that it has failed to return immediately to the elite division after playing in the NNL.

In a statement endorsed by the Chairman of SWAN Imo State Chapter, Cosmos Chukwwuemeka, and issued in Owerri, the body described such development as one that has left Imo residents deeply concerned, given the club’s pedigree as one of Nigeria’s traditional football institutions.

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Imo SWAN observed that under the leadership of the Technical Manager, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, the team was relegated from the NPFL and has now failed to achieve promotion.

The body praised Amuneke’s efforts in ensuring the prompt payment of salaries, the association stressed that the workload placed on him has been excessive.

Giving to this Imo SWAN recommended that Amuneke be assigned a clearly defined role, either as General Manager overseeing the club’s administration or as Technical Adviser focusing solely on football matters, to ensure efficiency and better results.

The association recommended an overhaul of the backroom staff involved in the running of the club’s affairs and suggests that competent professionals be engaged to reposition the club.

Imo SWAN once again expressed gratitude to the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, for appointing not just a son of the soil and Nigerian football legend, but someone with proven technical knowledge of the game to lead the club.

The body advocated for immediate reforms as a way of aligning the club with global best practices, restoring pride in the team, and returning it to its rightful place in Nigerian professional football.