Coach Abd’Allah resigns as Heartland face expulsion from NPFL

NPFL outfit Heartland have parted ways with head coach Usman Abd’Allah after only two months after the former national team coach resigned from his position at the club, citing unpaid wages as his reason. The club is said to be owing salaries of its players and coaches.

Heartland have been given a deadline of February 18th to settle their outstanding debts or face expulsion from the NPFL. Earlier this season, players of the club hit the streets of Owerri to protest their unpaid wages and other entitlements.

LMC warned the club that a breach of this condition will result in six points being automatically deducted from points already earned by the Club and matches of Heartland FC will be automatically suspended within the framework of the NPFL.

The club was further told that it would be automatically relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) should it miss three consecutive matches and all the players granted special authorization to move to other Clubs.

Heartland also had problems with paying the staff last season when Fidelis Ilechukwu was in charge of the club, and the young coach quickly moved from the club once the season ended.

The Naze Millionaires have started the 2021/22 NPFL season in a poor fashion and are currently marooned in the relegation zone after 10 matches this season, having picked up only seven points. The club will face newly-promoted Gombe United on Wednesday February 9th for their matchday 11 fixture.