*Says they risk further sanctions
By; KELVIN OKPARA, Enugu
The Headship of Heartland FC of Owerri, Imo State, led by its General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu has disclosed that due to the poor performance of the team in the ongoing 2023/2024 abridged Nigeria Premier Football League which culminated in their disgraceful home loss to Plateau United on Wednesday, the club management has ratified the placing of the players on half salaries until further notice.
“It was a disgraceful outing for the Owerri side yesterday, as they were trashed 5-1 at home before their fans at the Akwa stadium, in Anambra were they currently execute their home games,” he said.
The management said it was for the first time in the history of the club that such would happen
Nwachukwu who watched the encounter, unhappily said the players should take responsibility for the loss which has tarnished the image and the impressive records of the club in the country and even beyond.
According to him, the players do not have excuses to fail the way they did and has directed non performing players to step up or risk further sanctions as enshrined in the contracts they individually signed that poor performance would not be tolerated and be met with stiff measures.
He said, “The club management has decided to slash the salaries of the players by half as from now henceforth until the team’s performance improves,” Nwachukwu told the club’s media.
“I was just deeply rooted to one spot after the game yesterday and was the last to leave the stadium because I could not have envisaged the poor performance the players exhibited against Plateau United”.
He added that, “they played as if nothing was at stake and as If they were bereft of ideas.
“In all my time at the club, I have never seen a time Heartland FC played so poorly” the club’s boss insisted.
“This is beyond coaching issue and it is time the players took the blame for the defeat and try to redeem their image with a win against Sunshine Stars on Sunday.
“The task to keep Heartland FC in the topflight is the job of all it is our desire to have players who are proud to play for what the badge represents and its rich history right from Spartans to Iwuanyanwu Nationale and what we are known as now, Heartland FC.” he stated.
The club is currently swimming at the relegation zone in the NPFL.
