Amuneke Says Heartland’s Rebuilding Process Continues Ahead of NNL Season

Heartland technical adviser Emmanuel Amuneke has acknowledged that his team still has work to do as the club prepares for the start of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

The Naze Millionaires are scheduled to begin their campaign against Crown FC on Sunday, November 1, with the club targeting a strong start as it pursues promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Despite preparations for the new season, Amuneke stressed that Heartland’s rebuilding process is still underway, noting that the team must continue to improve before the competition gets fully underway.

“We are ready, but we are also aware that we still have a lot of work to do. It is a work in progress,” Amuneke was quoted as saying by the NNL’s media team.

The former Nigeria international added that the team was prepared to compete but acknowledged the need to strengthen areas that could affect its performance during the campaign.

“We are set and ready to compete, but we also realise that we must continue to look at areas where we have to strengthen ourselves,” he said.

Amuneke also made clear that returning Heartland to the NPFL remains a major objective, although he believes the club must follow a gradual process to achieve lasting success.

“I also want us to be back in the NPFL as quick as possible,” he said.

However, he explained that his experience in football had taught him the importance of patience and steady development, adding that the rebuilding process began when he arrived at the club.

“But over the years, with my experience, I have learned to understand that in life nothing happens without process. Those processes began when I arrived here and I am happy that today, we are in a position to compete,” Amuneke said.

Heartland will now look to translate their preparations into results when they face Crown FC in their opening fixture, with the team aiming to build momentum towards its promotion ambitions.