Heartland of Owerri have embarked on a major reorganisation to align with their objectives of participating in Nigeria’s second-tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL), in the 2025/2026 season, Completesports.com reports.
Checks reveal that the once-dreaded Naze Millionaires have dropped three members of their technical crew as they settle into life in the NNL following their relegation from the NPFL at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season.
Those relieved of their duties by the club’s hierarchy include Charles Uzor, Emma Olowo and Ike ThankGod.
Club Official Defends Decision
“It’s a normal thing in the game. Relieving some staff of their duties, this time coaches, at the end of a season is not new in football,” a club official told Completesports.com in Owerri on Monday, 25 August, 2025.
“Every organisation takes stock at the end of each year. You evaluate your performances in the outgoing year and make projections for the coming year. So, Heartland’s case isn’t anything new.
“Like players, coaches move or get sacked at the end of each season, and as such I don’t see anything unusual in the decision the club took to show some coaches the exit door. After all, the club will be participating in the NNL and may not require a bloated coaching crew, nor an oversized playing squad.”
Preseason Preparations Intensified
Heartland regrouped in June and have since intensified preparations for the coming season, with many believing that the team now looks in better shape than during their time in the NPFL.
One of the coaches, who spoke to Completesports.com on condition of anonymity, said that the Tico/Select Preseason Tournament was a massive boost to the team’s preparations this year.
“Last season, we went into the campaign without a major preseason tournament to assess our players,” the coach said.
“We were on our way to the Tico/Select Preseason Tournament when one of our coaches, Christian Obi, died in an accident. That sad and painful incident scuttled our participation in the preseason tournament, forcing us not to engage in any other major preseason games before the 2024/2025 NPFL season started. But now, the situation is different because the 2025 preseason tournament, which was played in Aba, has helped us a great deal.”
Remembering Late Coach Obi
It will be recalled that the late Christian Obi died in a ghastly motor accident in Okigwe on 23 August, 2024, while leading the Heartland team to last year’s preseason tournament in Enugu.
By Sab Osuji