Heartland FC win maiden Dan Anyiam Cup

*Unveil newly signed players

Heartland FC have emerged as the inaugural winner of the Dan Anyiam Cup after their 2-1 win over Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Kun Khalifat at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Wednesday night.

The Dan Anyiam Cup is named after an iconic figure in Imo State and Nigeria being the first skipper of the senior national team and also a former coach of the then Spartans FC (now Heartland FC) and the management of the Naze Millionaires deemed it fit to honour him with the annual competition.

The Naze Millionaires scored their goals through Samuel Wisdom and Benjamin Victor before Kun Khalifat reduced the deficit in the dying moments of the game through Effiong Idongesit.

One of the highlights of the Dan Anyiam Cup game was when a nephew of the revered Dan Anyiam whom the cup game was named after, Pharmacist Anderson Anyiam handed over the trophy alongside the club’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke.

Heartland FC was handed over the giant trophy at the end of the game in a short trophy presentation to the wild jubilation of the players and officials.

Speaking with the club’s media after the game, the Technical Manager, Heartland FC , Emmanuel Amuneke said he was impressed with the way his boys approached the game and that the team would go back to correct the lapses noticed ahead of the weekend’s NPFL 2024-25 opening game with Enyimba in Owerri.

“We are impressed with the way they played. You could see that this is a team that is work in progress,” Amuneke told the club’s media.

“A lot of players that were here last season are no longer here. We now have mostly new players. It is a process and we will continue to work and go back and look at the areas that we need to enhance in terms of our capacity to play when we have the ball and when we do not.”

Meanwhile, before the Dan Anyiam Cup, Heartland FC unveiled their newly signed players for the new season.

The Heartland FC newly signed players are:

Elvis Ori (Bayelsa United), Kelvin Ogunga (Bayelsa United), Udochukwu Anumudu (Abia Warriors), Louis Umoh Anthony (Heartland Feeders), Alex Godwin (Niger Tornadoes), Julius Namitanie (Giant Brillars), Offor Emmanuel Chibueze (Giant Brillars), Adoh Chuks Frank (De First Atlanta FA), Ebuka Nwokoecha (Diamond FA).

Also newly signed are: Olanrewaju Molade (Giant Brillars), Chukwudi Agor (Giant Brillars),
Ikwu Ejike (Rangers International FC),
Osinachi Wilson (Eagle Eye), Nnaemeka Christian Nkwo (Giant Brillars), Ezra David (Superstars FA), Uchenna David (Foster FA), Bobo Chubuike (Dynamic Shuttle), Onuwa Temple Chigozirim (Er7 FC), Chikamso Obasi (De Gideons FA),
Nkemakolam Chigozie Godwin (Umuakuma FA),

Others are: Chukwuma Chinedu (Taiye Academy), Kelvin Onah (Legacy Stars), Samuel Wisdom (Giant Brillars),
Emmanuel Charles (Rangers International FC), Joshua Odo (Rangers International FC), Suraju Lawal (Giant Brillars), Chukwuma Agoha (Brighter Tomorrow FC), Obinna Okere (Brighter Tomorrow), Benjamin Victor (Brighter Tomorrow), Chukwuma Agor (Brighter Tomorrow).

Speaking shortly before the unveiling the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie charged Heartland FC players to break barriers and gladden the heart of Imolites again and he assures them of his full support.

The representative of the Governor announced that the state helmsman has approved the distribution of over 3,500 Heartland FC jerseys to the fans who come to the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday to support the team as they face Enyimba in the first game of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The event which had former Super Falcons captain, Desire Ugochi Oparanozie in attendance also had some legends of the club like the first skipper of the former Spartans FC (now Heartland FC), Leo Nkwocha, George Okoro aka Wagner, Evans Ikwuegbu, Godwin Ebomuche and Sylvester Oparanozie (Bahama) all physically present while some top music artiste like Acharaman, Dtwins and Mayor Mike also witnessed the epoch making occasion with their beautiful renditions.

Also in attendance were other top football stakeholders led by the Imo FA Chairman, Barrister Ifeanyi Dike.

The Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Owerri, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Okoronkwo, Commissioner for Sports, Obinna Onyeocha (Onowu), and other prominent Imo politicians graced the occasion.

Heartland FC Media