Imo Government unveils Amuneke as new Technical Manager of Heartland FC

BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI

Ex-International and former coach of Tanzania national team, Emmanuel Amuneke has been appointed as the new Technical Manager of Heartland Football Club, Owerri.

The unveiling was made by Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who acknowledged that Heartland Football Club has been going down in recent time.

He disclosed that consequently, the administrative structure has been reorganized, while the manpower and management spirit has been strengthened

The governor said the process of the reorganization of the man power led to the location of “one of our best” Emmanuel Amuneke who was one of key players of Nigeria Super Eagles during his playing days and former record breaking coach of Tanzania national team, but resident in Spain.

He disclosed that Amuneke graciously accepted whatever the state could afford in terms of salaries and allowances, because of patriotism, rooted in the love of his own state.

Governor Uzodimma acknowledged that Imo people are passionately committed to the club, disclosing that the new management has been given the target, not only to win the Nigerian Premier League, but also to proceed to the win a continental trophy.

“I am also passionately committed to ensuring that Heartland regains its pride of place, to bring joy back to our people, as a result, the coach has been given a access to report directly to the governor, to guard against bureaucratic bottlenecks which has been sabotaging our efforts “

Responding, Emmanuel Amuneke who described himself as a son of the soil, being an indigene of Imo State, said he counts it a privilege to be given the opportunity to serve “my people”

He made a promise, on behalf of his team, “to do our best humanly, to make sure we turn around the situation of Heartland and the only way to achieve that is to tell ourselves truth”.

The new Technical Manager described himself as a person with objective, who don’t venture into things he is not confident of success, recalling how he was able to qualify the Tanzanian national team for the African Nations cup, after 39 years of their inability.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.