BY SAB OSUJI

Emmanuel Amuneke, MFR, Technical Manager of Heartland FC, Owerri, says the five time Nigeria Champions are still work in progress and that the club's hordes of fans and supporters should trust the process, insisting the club will come good, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

It wasn't a pleasant end to a new start in the top class of the league at the weekend when Enyimba came, saw, survived and conquered their hosts 3-1 in their Oriental Derby 2024/2025 NPFL opener at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Beyond the dull faces of the spectators who milled out of the arena in frustration following the defeat despite a brilliant performance by the 'new breed' specie of Heartland, Amuneke took plenty of positives from his wards performance and felt that if the squad could put out such a 'Barca Performance' within so short a time of repositioning mission, it goes to show that the future holds a bright prospect for the 'Arugo Boys'.

"It feels bad to lose one's opening season game, moreso painfully so in front of one's teeming home fans", remonstrates the 1994 African Footballer of the Year when accosted by Exclusivenews.com.ng after the feisty contest.

"But we must take the positives therefrom and move forward. Talking about the positives, we controlled the game right from the off, carved out some decent chances, I think about three scoring opportunities. If we had taken those chances, perhaps, the final scoreline would have been different.

"We also went in front early in the second period. But we lost concentration momentarily and we paid dearly, painfully too, for it. That's what you get when you don't take your chances in big stages such as this.

"But there no problem. We must keep trusting the process. The good thing is that the boys are fast adapting to our new philosophy. They are gradually accelerating their mental strenght in the process and I'm happy about that.

"We'll keep on doing what we need to do and believing that we'll give every Imolite something to be happy and proud of at the end of the day", the former Zamalek of Egypt and ex FC Barcelona of Spain winger said.

Amuneke led Tanzania National Team, Taifa Stars to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, 39 years after their maiden AFCON appearance in Lagos, in 1980.

He was later to take charge of Zambian Premier League side, Zanaco, having earlier handled Premier League clubs in Sudan and Egypt.

The man who holds a strong, fair principle believes Heartland will make gradual progression in the campaign.

"This our journey is in the hands of God. As humans, we'll continue to do what we're supposed to do, which is working hard, sincerely and honestly and remain positive, believing and trusting ourselves and our best of efforts would be rewarded with good result at the end".

Heartland will be guests of Rivers United inside the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex, Omagba, near Port Harcourt in Sunday's NPFL Match Day Two fixture.

The Pride of Rivers, under Finidi George, a former Amuneke's teammate at the National Team, harvested a point at Bendel Insurance in the Match Day One fixture and would want to make their home advantage count in this impending gritty showdown.

They would be chasing a vain glory if they hold rigidly to this as the Naze Millionaires youngsters would be aiming for their hosts scalps if only to make up for their Match Day One disappointment.