HEARTLAND VS ENYIMBA: Naze Millionaires, Elephants eye ‘good start’ in Oriental derby

It’s just matchday one in the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League season, but the actions are already coming thick and fast as rivals Heartland and Enyimba slug it out in the first Oriental derby of the season at the Dan Anyim Stadium, Owerri, on Sunday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Despite being relegated last season, Heartland are back in the NPFL, following the decision of the league board to award them Beyond Limits’ slot. The most exciting news about them is the appointment of ex-international Emmanuel Amuneke as their head coach.

Enyimba’s mission will also be to regain their title-winning form this term, and that mandate has been given to new coach Yemi Olanrewaju, who took over from Finidi George before the end of last season.

“I can say we are ready, and we have no excuse now. The squad has been working tirelessly to integrate new signings into the team,” Olanrewaju said via the club’s website.

“The integration has been going well, and it’s time to translate it into results. We are eager to make a strong impression in the league, and we know that Heartland FC, led by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, will pose a formidable challenge.

“Coach Amuneke would want to start on a good note too in the league. But we are determined to give it our all and start very well, hoping for a positive result in Owerri.”

On their immediate return to the top flight, Heartland unveiled 30 players before the start of the season, and the new man in charge, Amuneke, has expressed confidence in the new players.

“We will be ready for Enyimba. You know in football, it’s not something you come out and say what you are going to do or not going to do. We will go back and recover and look at the team.

“This is a team that is a work in progress; a lot of players that were here last season are no longer here; we have new players. So, I am impressed with how they played. Nobody was born with experience; they have to get it by consistently doing what they are doing.”

The last time the two teams met was in November 2023, when Stephen Chukwude scored the winner for Enyimba FC in a closely contested match.