Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, turned into a scene of sighs and lagging on Sunday evening, despite the season of Heartland, 2-1 triumph over Akwa United, while the side of Emmanuel Amuneke was banned to the second Nigeria National League (NNL), Complete sports.com Reports.
The hope of the Naze Millionaires to survive in the NPFL of 2024/2025 were clearly not in their hands to enter the competition day 38. They needed a victory and had to hope that El-Kanemi Warriors would drop points against Sunshine Stars in Maiduguri to keep their place in the top flight.
Also read: Friendly: Ajibade, Echegini, Babajide arrive for Cameroon
Isaac Nassy gave the handful of spectators hope with what the fastest goal of the season could be-Slechts five seconds after the kick-off. The stadium came to life, even more because reports from Maiduguri indicated that the score there was still 0-0.
Amuneke’s men held their foot on the accelerator pedal and finished the game as 2-1 winners. But their parties were demolished when the news in that El-Kanemi Warriors had won 1-0 against Sunshine Stars. Then it insisted on all that Hartland, re -relegated – their fourth relegation in nine years.
The relegation history of Heartland unfortunately started in 2016. Then the Demoties arrived in 2022, 2024 and now 2025. Ironically, three of the four relegations took place under the current administration.
Clusters of spectators gathered in various places. The bars were almost empty, except a few where some fans had gone to drown their pain and emotions. The most important point of conversation among the scattered groups was the relegation of the team.
Also read: NSF 2024: Flamingos defeated Team Ogun to secure the last berth
“What have we done (fans) to earn this?” A fan who just gave his name when Chima Ndukwe asked rhetorically.
“So we are not going to watch NPFL football here in Owerri anymore in Owerri? I can’t believe that Heartland has really been relegated,” said another fan, who identified himself as a fake.
Heartland thus joins Lobi Stars, Akwa United and Sunshine Stars in the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the 2025/2026 season.
By Sab Słuja
#NPFL #Sigh #lamentations #Heartland #suffer #fourth #relegation #years