Following relegation and a failed promotion bid, Emmanuel Amuneke says Heartland’s pre-season work has put the club in a stronger position to challenge when their Nigeria National League campaign begins against Crown FC on 31 October.

Heartland FC concluded their pre-season programme on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory against Bayelsa United at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

Technical Manager Amuneke was pleased with the performance and result, although he recognises that a friendly win does not answer the major issue surrounding his two-year spell: whether he can guide the Naze Millionaires back into the Nigeria Premier Football League.

His first campaign, in 2024/25, finished with Heartland going down. The club had regained top-flight status after an earlier relegation but were unable to survive, even though they won their final fixture. The following 2025/26 season brought an immediate opportunity to return, but their promotion pursuit also fell short. Amuneke admitted that Heartland’s poor first half of the NNL season left them with too much ground to make up.

He has made no secret of his determination to correct those setbacks.

“I want us to return to the NPFL as soon as we can,” Amuneke said after the Bayelsa United match. “However, my experience over the years has taught me that nothing in life comes without a process. That process started from the time I came here, and I am pleased that we are now in a position where we can compete.”

During their preparations, Heartland defeated Supreme Kings 2-1, Die Hard FC 4-2, Abia Comets 3-0 and Bayelsa United 3-0, while recording a 1-1 draw away at Solution FC. They also avenged a 2-0 loss to Akwa United by winning the return friendly by the same scoreline.

Amuneke believes the initial defeats against Enyimba in Owerri and Akwa United in Uyo served an important purpose. Those matches enabled his coaching team to evaluate incoming players before establishing the team’s preferred approach.

“At the beginning of our preparations, we played Enyimba and lost, then we also lost against Akwa United in Uyo,” he said. “Those games were meant to assess the new players we intended to bring into the squad. From that point, we began to build the style and pattern we wanted to play.”

The recruitment process began before pre-season camp opened. Amuneke said club representatives travelled around Nigeria during the break in search of suitable players, and he has been encouraged by how rapidly the newcomers have adjusted.

“We are delighted and thankful to see how fast the players have adapted. Everyone deserves credit for the excellent work done,” he said. “For a coach, it is always a pleasure when you have players who are willing to learn and can be coached.”

Bayelsa United offered meaningful opposition because they too are preparing for a push for NNL promotion. Amuneke viewed the encounter as an opportunity to test Heartland’s work over recent months against another side with major ambitions.

“It was a very interesting match. We needed that kind of game as we continue preparing for our main target, which is the league starting on October 31,” he said.

“We will open the new season, so a game like this helps the players’ confidence. It also allowed us to evaluate the work we have done in recent months and see how well the players have adapted.”

Heartland will welcome Crown FC of Ogbomoso for the opening league match on 31 October. Remo Stars, who were relegated last term, and Sunshine Stars are among the notable clubs in the Conference A battle for promotion.

Amuneke believes his side must prove themselves away from Dan Anyiam Stadium as well.

“We have to compete, and you cannot achieve that by relying only on your home results. We must get ourselves ready for that challenge,” he said.

He also thanked supporters in Imo State for holding the club to high standards, saying he understands their desire to see Heartland return to the summit, while stressing that the reconstruction remains unfinished.

“I want to appreciate the Imolites who have continued to keep us on our toes. I understand that everybody wants to see us at the top,” he said. “We are prepared, but we know there is still plenty of work ahead. It remains a work in progress. We are ready to compete, while also recognising that we must keep identifying areas where we need to improve.”

Amuneke added that the project is also intended to develop the players. “Our responsibility is to find ways of getting the best from the players and helping them improve,” he said. “When they develop, they become valuable to both the club and the country.”