NPFL: Heartland’s tough win against Nasarawa United delights Emmanuel Amuneke

By Saheed Afolabi

Heartland head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, expressed his delight with his side’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Nasarawa United in Owerri, noting the resilience and determination displayed by his players.

The Naze Millionaires showed great character, coming from behind in the final minutes of the match to stun their visitors.

Despite the challenging nature of the game, Amuneke remained focused on the broader picture and his team’s ongoing development.

“We want to win our games. Since I joined this team, I’ve worked to train the players to understand that ‘success is not a straight line’ and that nothing in life is achieved without hard work. That’s the path I follow,” Amuneke stated in the post-match press conference.

The former international praised Nasarawa United for their fluid play and excellent build-up, emphasizing that their current position on the table doesn’t reflect the quality they possess.

“When you look at Nasarawa United’s position, it’s deceptive compared to their quality. They play good, attractive football and have confident players who can build from the back and excel up front. Sometimes, football doesn’t favour you, and I think that’s what’s happening to them,” Amuneke noted.

The first half proved challenging for Heartland, with Amuneke admitting that emotions attached to the game had an impact on his team’s performance. However, they gradually found their rhythm as the match progressed.

“We struggled a lot in the first half, probably because we approached the game emotionally, wanting to win so badly that it affected our performance.

“As the game progressed, Nasarawa United grew in confidence, and we must respect what they demonstrated today,” he said.

Currently sitting in 10th place on the NPFL table with 20 points from 15 games, Heartland will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next clash at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday, December 8.