Imo: Why Heartland Football Club was relegated on NPFL

DDM NEWS

Heartland FC was relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) due to a combination of factors.

Despite securing a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Akwa United on the final matchday, Heartland’s fate was sealed by results elsewhere.

El-Kanemi Warriors’ 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars proved pivotal, ultimately condemning Heartland to 17th place with 47 points, just one point shy of safety.

Inability to Accumulate Enough Points: Heartland’s struggles to secure crucial wins and accumulate points throughout the season ultimately led to their relegation.

The Imo State Football Association (FA) attributes Heartland’s relegation to instability within the team, including players leaving during critical periods, which disrupted the team’s performance.

Heartland’s performance significantly dropped in the second half of the season, contributing to their relegation

The Imo State FA has expressed optimism about reorganizing the club and implementing changes to drive growth.

Heartland’s coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, a former Super Eagles forward, will be retained to lead the team through a rebuilding phase in the NNL.

The FA chairman, Ifeanyi Dike, believes that with restructuring, Heartland can bounce back stronger.

Heartland’s relegation marks a significant downturn for the club, making them the first team in NPFL history to suffer consecutive relegations.

They had narrowly avoided relegation in the previous season due to the ineligibility of Beyond Limits FA.

This recent relegation adds to the club’s challenges, as they now face the task of rebuilding and regaining their top-flight status .

The Imo State Football Association has blamed the players of Heartland FC for the relegation of the club to the Nigeria National League (NNL).

Recall that Heartland of Owerri bought their way back to the Nigeria Premier Football League from the NNL ahead of last season.

They brought in one of the most revered coaches in Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke, to steer the ship.

Despite the arrival of the former Super Eagles forward, the Imo state-owned club struggled in all competitions and subsequently finished as low as 17th in the 2024-2025 NPFL season.

Following their relegation, the club management agreed to retain Amuneke with the mandate of repositioning the club for better performance.

Unlike last season, when Heartland rushed their way back to the NPFL, the club is expected to compete in the second tier of Nigerian football next season as they continue to rebuild, DDM News gathered.

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