Heartland FC Technical Manager Emmanuel Amuneke has expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance following their 1-1 draw against Enyimba in matchday 21 of the 2024/2025 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season in Aba.
The former African Player of the Year in 1994 commended the resilience and tactical discipline displayed by his players throughout the challenging encounter.
Amuneke noted that while the draw was a positive result, his team could have secured a more convincing victory.
“We had the potential to score four or five goals,” he stated, highlighting the missed opportunities that could have swung the match in Heartland’s favour.
Despite this, Amuneke acknowledged the competitive nature of the match and the difficulties associated with facing a team of Enyimba’s stature in Nigerian football.
The coach, who led Nigeria’s U-17 team to victory in the 2015 World Cup, underscored the importance of the character his players showed during the match.
“The resilience and ability to interpret the game were key. I am pleased with the performance and the point we earned,” Amuneke said, praising his squad for their commitment and tactical execution.
Reflecting on the encounter, Amuneke described the game as an exciting and fiercely contested battle.
He explained that his team entered the match with a specific tactical plan aimed at addressing Enyimba’s strengths and capitalizing on their weaknesses.
While the strategy did not lead to a victory, Amuneke emphasized that securing a draw against such a formidable opponent was still an important achievement.
Looking ahead to future matches, Amuneke remained focused on strengthening his team. “We must continue to improve in all areas,” he said, stressing that the team would work on enhancing their overall performance ahead of their next fixture.
Regarding their upcoming match against Rivers United, Amuneke confirmed that Heartland FC would take time to savour the result against Enyimba before turning their attention to the new challenge.
“We will begin our preparations after returning to Owerri,” he confirmed, with the team determined to build on their positive momentum.
