Heartland F.C. Information & Heartland F.C. Links at HealthHaven.com

Heartland
Full name	Heartland Football Club
Nickname(s)	Naze Millionaires
Founded	1976
Ground	Dan Anyiam Stadium; Owerri, Nigeria; (Capacity: 10,000)
Chairman	Ignatius Okeahialam
Manager	Kelechi Emetole
League	Nigerian Premier League
2008-09	2nd
Home colours	Away colours

Heartland F.C (until 2006 known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale) is a Nigerian soccer club based in Owerri. Other than local rivals Enugu Rangers, they are one of two Nigerian teams that have never been relegated.

[edit] History

Originally founded as Spartans FC, they won the Nigerian championship four years running from 1987-1990. [1]. 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] They play their home games at Dan Anyiam Stadium, but while it is being renovated they will play games in 2008 at the Samuel Okwaraji Memorial Stadium in Orlu. Kelechi Arima, striker for Nigerian table-toppers Heartland FC, was at the weekend shot dead by unknown gunmen, according to club officials. Just 18 years of age, Arima perished after being shot in Owerri city centre on Saturday.

[edit] Milestones

Nov. 1985: Spartans FC renamed Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC following a successful change of ownership from Imo State Government to chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Jan. 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, re-naming it Heartland FC.^[1]

2008: Finished second in premier league by one point to Kano Pillars, earned a Champions League slot.

[edit] Achievements

Nigerian Premier League: 5

1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993

Nigerian FA Cup: 1

1988

African Cup of Champions Clubs

1988 (runners-up)

[edit] Performance in CAF Competitions

CAF Champions League: 1 appearance

2009 - Finalist

African Cup of Champions Clubs: 5 appearances

1988: Finalist

1989: Second Round

1990: Semi-Final

1991: Semi-Final

1994: Quarter-Final

CAF Confederation Cup: 1 appearance

2006 - Group Stage

CAF Cup: 1 appearance

2000 - Semi-Final

[edit] Current squad

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	John Gaadi
16	GK	Ikechukwu Ezenwa
18	GK	Bassey Akpan
22	GK	Austin Brown
30	GK	Longinus Duru
2	DF	Ashanike Sherrif
3	DF	Aziz Ansah
4	DF	Ike ThankGod
5	DF	Arinze Ewenike
7		Ayaya Nwanna
		Oliver Agbo
		Victor Ezuruike
		Isaac Amkwa Amponsah
		Owusu Addai
	DF	Obum Ogbe
	FW	Igho Otegheri
	FW	John Owoeri
	FW	Delight Okey Darlington
		Raphael Musa
	FW	Stanley Okoro
		Shehu Gworo
29	FW	Julius Ubido
34		Onyekachi Okemiri
	DF	Chinedu Efugh
	MF	Emmanuel Omodiagbe

No.	Position	Player
	DF	Alika Henry Osadolor
		Damian Udeh
		Mangut Yusuf (capt.)
28	FW	Ikechukwu Ibenegbu
11	FW	Signs Chibambo
		Charles Omokaro
		Kamal Indinguh
		Obi Oparaugo
		Uchenna Okonkwo
		Ndubuisi Obi
		Kelechi Okoye
		Danjuma Isiaka
		Odinaka Ezeocha
10	MF	Philip Obhafuoso
		Emma Abba
		Alex Oguaju
		Nnemeka Onovo
24	MF	Derick Amadi
	MF	Muideen Oyewole
9	FW	Ada Adama
5		Uche Agba
10		Wilson J. Oboh
		Chijioke Nwankwo
	DF	Joseph Eyimofe
		Okey Nwabike

[edit] Staff

[edit] Heartland Continental Trophy Committee

^[2]

Ikedi Ohakim (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

[edit] Coaching staff

^[3]

Kelechi Emetole, Head Coach
Promise Nwachukwu, Assistant Team Manager
Ivan Olev, Fitness Coach
Ben Iroha, Chief trainer, consultant
Chijioke Osuagwu - Chief Coach Team ‘B’
Emma Osuigwe - Assistant Coach Team ‘B’

[edit] Former Stars

[edit] Former coaches

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[nigeriansportsonline.com-0] ttp://www.nigeriansportsonline.com/home.php?Show=ShowLink&LinkId=4&A=10

[1] ttp://www.goimo.net/ohakim-inaugurates-heartland-fc-continental-committee/

[2] Current Squad 2008/09 - Managment

[1]

[2]

[3]

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