Heartland F.C.
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| Full name | Heartland Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Spartans, Naze Millionaires, Hearts | ||
| Founded | 1976 | ||
| Ground |
Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, Nigeria | ||
| Capacity | 10,000 | ||
| Chairman | Ignatius Okeahialam | ||
| Manager | Ramson Madu | ||
| League | Nigerian Premier League | ||
| 2013 | Nigerian Premier League, 11th | ||
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Heartland F.C (formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale 1985-2006) is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium. With local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated.
History
Originally founded as Spartans FC, they won the Nigerian championship four years running from 1987-1990. . Their first international (friendly) match was against Ararats F.C. of the USSR which Spartans won 2-0 at the Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, Owerri, in August 1976.[1]
Milestones
November 1985: Spartans FC renamed Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC following a successful change of ownership from Imo State Government to chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
January 1986: Iwuanyanwu Nationale embark on a 3-week training tour of Brazil. The club finished runner-up of Nigerian top league.
1987: Iwuanyanwu Nationale emerge league runners-up behind Leventis United on goal difference. But they later got the ticket to represent Nigeria in CAF Champions Cup following the disbandment of Leventis.
1988: Iwuanyanwu Nationale repeat as league champions as well as winning Nigerian FA Cup for first time, beating Flash Flamingoes of Benin in cup final 3-0. Reach CAF Champions Cup final, winning 1-0 in first leg tie in Ibadan, losing 4-0 in Constantine, Algeria in return leg versus Entente Setif.
1989: Retain league title but lost FA Cup following 0-1 loss in final to BCC Lions.
1990: Iwuanyanwu Nationale beat Stationery Stores of Lagos in Lagos in professional League's commemorative game 2-1. Nationale went on to emerge first pro league winners in Nigeria.
1991: Nationale lose league title to Julius Berger, crash out of CAF Champions Cup to Nakivubo of Uganda in semifinal.
1993: Club regain league title following a 2-0 away victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in last league fixture to edge out Bendel Insurance to the title race.
1994: Reach champions cup quarterfinal. Lose 3-0 to Esperance of Tunisia in first leg tie, September 18. Aboard a chartered Oriental Airline, the team suffered an aircrash at Tamanrasset, Southern Algeria same night. Two players, defender Aimola Omale and goalkeeper Uche Ikeogu lost their lives.
CAF consequently shifted the return leg match in Owerri from October 3, to October 10. Nationale crashed out following a 1-1 draw in the return leg match.
1999: Emerged regular league champions but lost title to Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the inaugural Super League playoff.
2005: Finished third in premier league and also in the Coca-Cola FA Cup with coach Stanley Eguma in charge.
2006: Imo State Government re-acquire ownership of the club on February 7 from chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, renaming it Heartland FC.[1]
2008: Finished second in premier league by one point to Kano Pillars, earned a Champions League slot.
2009: Finished second in the 2009 CAF Champions League;losing to away goals to TP Mazembe after tying 2-2 on aggregate.
Achievements
- Nigerian Premier League: 5
- 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993.
- 1988, 2011, 2012.
- Nigerian Super Cup: 2
- 2011, 2012.
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions League: 2 appearances
- 2009 - Finalist
- 2010 - Group Stage
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 5 appearances
- 1988: Finalist
- 1989: Second Round
- 1990: Semi-Finals
- 1991: Semi-Finals
- 1994: Quarter-Finals
- CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances
- 2006 - Group Stage
- 2012 - Second Round
- CAF Cup: 1 appearance
- 2000 - Semi-Finals
Current squad
As of April 20, 2013
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
Heartland Continental Trophy Committee
Rochas Okorocha (Governor of Imo State)- Tony Chukwu (Chief of Heartland F.C.)
- Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri (Office Holder of Imo State)
- Nwankwo Kanu (Footballer of Portsmouth F.C.)
- Peterside Idah - (former Footballer)
- Amanze Uchegbulam (First vice chairman of the NFA)
- Ignatius Okeahilam (National Club-Chief)
- Harry Awurumibe (Nigeria women football Journalist)
- Emeka Duru (Office Holder of Imo State)
- Mitchel Obi (Former Footballer)
- Emma Oparanozie (Chief accountant)
- Cajetan Nkwopara (Media officer)
- Ikechukwu Ukaegbu (Ardent supporter)
Coaching staff
- Ndubuisi Ndubueze (Head Coach)
- Promise Nwachukwu (Assistant Team Manager)
- Ivan Olev (Fitness Coach)
- Chijioke Osuagwu (Chief Coach Team ‘B’)
- Emma Osuigwe (Assistant Coach Team ‘B’)
- Ike Shorunmu (Goalkeeping coach)
Former Players
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Former coaches
- Ossai Chukwuka
- Kelechi Emetole
Mitko Dobrev (August 2007–January 9)- Ben Iroha (2009–??)
Lodewijk de Kruif (March 2010–??)- Samson Siasia (July 2010–December 10)
- Christian Chukwu (interim) (February 2011–March 11)
- Lodewijk de Kruif (2011–2012)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.nigeriansportsonline.com/home.php?Show=ShowLink&LinkId=4&A=10
- ↑ http://www.goimo.net/ohakim-inaugurates-heartland-fc-continental-committee/
External links
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