Team Manager of Heartland FC of Owerri, Promise Nwachukwu, has tipped some of the ‘big teams’ in the league to pick continental tickets at the end of the season and represent Nigeria next year in some of the continental assignments.
Nwachukwu said the league will continue to get tougher as it progresses, but that the original big teams like Heartland FC, Kano Pillars, Rangers International and Sharks FC as well as Lobi Stars and Bayelsa United would certainly be the ones to pick the available tickets to represent Nigeria internationally.
He said: “I see we’re gradually returning to an era of good value system in our football culture, and if this is entrenched, I expect the original big teams like Heartland FC, Kano Pillars, Rangers International, Sharks FC and Lobi Stars to be in front.
“But of course, Akwa Utd, Bayelsa Utd and Sunshine Stars together with a few others have earned respect that one cannot ignore.”
According to him, Heartland is making strident efforts to present a solid and better playing squad that will contest for a continental ticket when the Glo Premier League resumes for the second round.
Nwachukwu, who spoke in Owerri after the ‘Naze Millionaires’ training last Monday, said the coaches have seen and assessed some new players who would be used to fortify the squad.
“In the first stanza, we did not end up badly on the table, but we were as well not satisfied with our total performance. Everyone knows the second stanza would be tougher and we are doing our best to be ready for it,” he said.
He said Heartland is currently negotiating with the agents and present club of the new players and, in the end, may be signing up to nine players who the technical crew had certified.
“This time, we had some thorough searching and I’m happy we got some good players in the net. If negotiations are through, we’ll be bringing in about nine new quality players. With this, I don’t see why we can’t contest effectively in the second stanza,” he said.