Heartland FC technical adviser Emmanuel Amuneke says his side fully deserved their 3-2 victory over Inter Lagos FC in a tightly contested 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL) match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
It marked Heartland’s second win of the season a result that catapulted them to second place in the Conference A standings. Reflecting after the match, Amuneke acknowledged the challenge posed by Inter Lagos. “It was a very good game, Inter Lagos are a good and energetic side. They gave us a very difficult challenge… we needed to win and we won,” he said.
He added that while the win was satisfying, the work isn’t finished the coaching staff will review the performance to identify areas for improvement. “In football you cannot explain everything immediately, we will go back and review everything and improve from there.”
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Editorial
When Heartland dug deep to overcome Inter Lagos, they did more than just increase their tally in the NNL table they reclaimed a fragment of belief. A 3–2 scoreline suggests drama; but what it really speaks to is character resilience under pressure, the ability to absorb challenge, and still deliver when it matters most.
Amuneke’s calm but telling post-match reflection captures the mood victory granted, but humility preserved. In a league as unpredictable and often unforgiving as the NNL, such composure could be as valuable as any goal. It hints at structure behind the scenes, a dressing-room still intact despite recent turbulence.
For Heartland a storied club accustomed to top-flight football relegation was a wake-up call. But this win shows that falling down is only part of the story. Rising again with conviction, cohesion and measured ambition may yet define their rebuild. If they handle pressure as they did this weekend, they may not just chase promotion they could demand it.
Amuneke’s project now needs consistency. Because in Nigeria’s league system, faith is earned not over one match, but over many. And for Heartland’s patients supporters, this perhaps is the first real sign of renewal.
Did You Know?
- Heartland were relegated from the top-flight at the end of the 2024/25 season — making their current campaign in the NNL a pivotal chapter in their attempt to return to former glories.
- Before this recent win, Heartland had secured their first NNL home victory earlier in the 2025/26 campaign indicating early signs of adaptation under Amuneke’s watch.
- Amuneke has long emphasized youth development and rebuilding since he took charge blending new signings with retained players to refashion Heartland’s identity after relegation.
- The NNL’s Southern Conference A — where Heartland competes features a mix of former top-flight clubs and ambitious sides, making consistency a challenging but essential requirement for promotion.
- Home matches at Dan Anyiam Stadium have become crucial for Heartland’s resurgence the support base and familiar surroundings offering what many insiders regard as a vital advantage in the push back to the top tier.
