A blunt pre-season defeat to Enyimba has former Heartland forward John Owoeri urging the Naze Millionaires to add real firepower and experience before their promotion push begins.
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Former Flying Eagles forward John Owoeri says Heartland of Owerri need to sign at least five or six experienced players, including strikers, if the club is to mount a serious challenge for promotion back to the NPFL.
Owoeri, now 39 and playing for Thimphu FC in Bhutan, spoke in Owerri after Heartland lost 1-3 to Enyimba in the Oriental Derby pre-season fixture at the Dan Anyiam Stadium. He had a spell at Heartland himself in the 2009/10 season, having joined from Enyimba after returning to Nigeria from a stint at Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
“A Blend Of Experience And Youthfulness”
Owoeri acknowledged that building a competitive squad is a gradual process, but was firm that Heartland need experienced legs added to their young players if they are to gain promotion back to a division he believes the club belongs in.
A Clear Need For A Reliable Striker
Reflecting on Heartland’s blunt showing in the derby defeat, Owoeri said the team clearly needs to work on its finishing, arguing that a side without a reliable goalscorer ultimately isn’t a complete team. He said Heartland’s players are trying but the squad is missing a striker capable of consistently putting the ball in the net.
Backing For Amuneke’s Return
Owoeri also praised coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s decision to return to the domestic league to help out at Heartland, saying the former Nigeria international simply needs support from fans and stakeholders for things to come together.
📌 Did You Know?
- Heartland are five time NPFL champions, giving weight to Owoeri’s belief that the club belongs back in the top flight.
- Owoeri earned a single Super Eagles cap during his playing career, alongside representing Nigeria at Flying Eagles level.
- His European career began with a move to Feyenoord in 2005, before a loan spell at Belgian side Westerlo the following year.
- Owoeri has played professionally across an unusually wide spread of countries, including Egypt, Sweden, China and Thailand, before his current spell in Bhutan.
- Emmanuel Amuneke, Heartland’s coach, previously won an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria’s “Dream Team” at Atlanta 1996 and has coaching experience across multiple African national teams.
- Enyimba, who beat Heartland in this pre-season fixture, are one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs and represent the country in this season’s CAF Champions League.
