Heartland Vs Ikorodu City: Amuneke, Nkwo warn against distractions as Oga Boys visit Owerri

Technical Manager of Heartland FC, Emmanuel Amuneke has tasked his players not to distracted by the allure of their away draw with El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri as they face Ikorodu City on Thursday in a Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 7 tie.

Speaking to Heartland Media after the final training session in preparation for the crucial game Amuneke, stated that he and his team respect Ikorodu City but that they understand the magnitude of the fixture and are poised to approach the game with the determined zeal to seal the maximum points.

“We understand the magnitude of this game, and despite Ikorodu City facing some challenges like ours, they are a team to respect,” Amuneke told Heartland Media.

“But the most important thing for us is to remain focussed and continue to understand that we need to grow.”

Following the slow start to the season, the Naze Millionaires have picked up four points from their last two games, and an excited Amuneke attributed it to the players improvement and assimilation of the coaches ideas and philosophies.

“I am happy that the players are beginning to get into the idea of what we have been telling them always to believe in themselves in terms of their capabilities in order to be able to compete with the best of the clubs in the league.”

Meanwhile, team’s defensive midfielder Christian Nnaemeka Nkwo says he is excited to be back home following the “not easy” goalless draw game against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri last weekend but assures that the team is ready for the encounter with Ikorodu City.

“The game in Maiduguri was not easy,” Nkwo told Heartland Media.

“What I believe is that tomorrow (Thursday), irrespective of what Ikorodu City is going to bring, we are definitely going to win here,” he assures the Naze Millionaires fans.