Message From The Heart: Emmanuel Amuneke blamed for Heartland FC relegation

Former Super Eagles winger and coach Emmanuel Amuneke has come under heavy criticism from Heartland FC insider Barrister Ilechukwu Nwaopara following the club’s relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), despite a final day 2-1 win over Akwa United.

Heartland’s drop to the second tier marks their fourth relegation in five years — a painful blow for a club with a storied history, especially considering the massive financial backing from the Imo State Government and the appointment of the highly regarded Amuneke.

Amuneke, who led Nigeria’s U17 team to a FIFA World Cup title and has managed at various national team levels, was brought in with high expectations. Backed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, Heartland received over N500 million in state funding — including the unprecedented purchase of a top-flight slot from Beyond Limits FC after last season’s relegation, brand-new team buses, player allowances, and direct access to the Governor for all operational needs.

But despite this robust support, the team once again failed to retain its top-tier status.

In a lengthy social media post on Monday, May 26, Barr. Nwaopara did not mince words, accusing Amuneke of mismanaging resources, recruiting inexperienced players from local villages instead of proven NPFL talent, and wasting taxpayers’ money.

“With all the huge financial support you got from the Governor… with all the massive support you got from the fans, you have no excuse… You woefully failed and led Heartland FC to relegation,” Nwaopara wrote.

He claimed that Amuneke enjoyed unprecedented support compared to any coach in the club’s history — including access to funds, logistics, and player salaries that were paid without delay — but still failed to deliver.

Nwaopara acknowledged Amuneke’s past achievements in football but stressed that “this Heartland FC issue broke our hearts,” calling for accountability and a thorough review of how the massive investment was used.

“This sorry and pitiable situation can’t just be swept under the carpet,” he added. “There is a need for you to give Imo people and the government… a comprehensive account.”

While praising Governor Uzodimma for his unprecedented support and commitment to Heartland FC, Nwaopara concluded by calling the relegation a “black day” for Imo sports and a sign of deeper issues in the club’s management.

As reactions continue to pour in, all eyes will now be on both Heartland FC and the Imo State Government to decide the next steps for the club’s future — and whether Emmanuel Amuneke remains part of it.

FULL TEXT OF THE ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST AMUNEKE BY NWAOPARA

“EMMANUEL AMUNEKE AND RELEGATION OF HEARTLAND FC.

BECAUSE of you, Gov Hope Uzodimma brought out a whooping sum of over N500 million Naira tax payers money of Imo people and bought the Slot of Beyond limits FC to keep Heartland Fc in the Nigerian Premiership when they were relegated last season.No Governor or State Governor has ever done this before but Gov Hope Uzodimma did it and yet Oga, you were careless to waste Imo tax payers Money and led Heartland to relegation without bothering about the consequencies.

BECAUSE of you, Gov Hope Uzodimma appointed you a Sole Administrator in the management of the club.The Governor directed that you call him directly for your needs each time it arises.By this exoress authority you are only answereable only to the Governor.That is to say, no more bottlenecks from Commissioner for Sports,Deputy Speaker,General manager,etc as we use to hear in the past but yet Oga, you led the team to relegation.

BECAUSE of you,Gov Hope Uzodimma bought brand new Coaster Bus for Heartland Players,bought a luxury Executive Bus for you and your backroom staffs,bought a Hilux and another private mobility car for your personal use to ease the difficulties associated with the Job and gave you accommodation in one of the luxurious hotels in Owerri yet Oga,you led the team to relegation.

BACAUSE of you,Gov Hope Uzodimma approves on weekly basis, no less than N9 million per each Match Heartland plays as logistics for you,players allowances and other expenses yet Oga,you led Heartland Fc to relegation.

BECAUSE of you Gov Hope Uzodimma approved a huge sum of millions of Naira for you to recruit quality players for Heartland FC but you chose otherwise to go to Eziobodo/ Ihiagwa your village to recruit inexperienced village players to come and play for Heartland FC in the Nigerian top flight football league instead of going for already extablished NPFL quality players.With the huge sum of money the Governor mapped out fir you for players recruitment there is no player in the Nigerian Premiership League that you cannot buy yet Oga,you did otherwise and lead the team to relegation.I remembered most of us confronting you on the quality of players you recruited from your village and other surrounding villages,you told us “you are building for the future”.Today,have you finally build a team for the future.What a black moment for Sports loving people of Imo State.

BECAUSE of you,no Heartland Coach in the past has ever enjoyed the level of support you got from Gov Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Government yet Oga,you led Heartland FC to relegation.

With all the huge financial support you got from the Governor of Imo State,Senator Hope Uzodimma, with all the massive support you got from the fans,you have no excuse to give us on why you wasted the hundreds of millions and billions of Naira of Imo Tax payers Money spent on you to take Heartland FC to a greater height but indeed you woefully failed and led Heartland FC to relegation.

You are one Nigerian Ex international I have respect and love for, but you see this Heartland FC issue you broke our hearts and you have no reason not to perform.Gov Hope Uzodimma gave you every support that no premiership team coach in Nigeria got from their state Governors ir state government but yet you failed.Dont you know that all the money Gov Hope Uzodimma wasted on you are tax payers money of the people of Imo State.

This sorry and pitiable situation you have put all of us now can’t just be swept under the carpet.There is need for you to give Imo people and the government of Imo State a comprehensive account on how you used the huge sums of money wasted on you without the much desired commensurate result.its high time people be held responsible for their actions no matter whose ox is gored and by so doing we all will always be afraid of the consequencies of our action.We don’t care in this countrt because “afterall nothing mega”.

Imo people are disappointed in you Mr Emmanuel Amuneke and for the minnows you recruited from the villages as players of heartland “there is time for everything”.For the first time in the history of Heartland fc there was no report of backlog or non payment of player salaries or allowances in all whole season,yet your efforts weren’t enough to impress the Governor,the Imo State Governor and the Imo people.

To His Excellency, Dist Sen Hope Uzodimma,Executive Governor of Imo State,I commend you sir.No Governor in Nigeria has ever supported their team and Coach the way and manner you did to Heartland.You did well sir and what happened should not discourage you from being No 1 Fan of Heartland FC.Kudos Sir.Imo people loves you.I love you most.

It’s now clear to all of us that the problem of Heartland fc is not the Management but lack of honesty in the management to pilot the affairs of Heartland with a selfless spirit and mindset.

It’s a black day.
Relegation for the 4th time.Its unfortunate.

I am Barr Ikechukwu Nwaopara.”