• Lionel Messi touched down in Angola for a friendly that puzzled many fans… until the price tag behind the match came to light. The world champions are here for a game worth millions.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
14- NOV- 2025

Heartland Football Club of Owerri has entered the 2025–2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season on a renewed footing, following the complete settlement of all outstanding debts that had threatened the club’s registration and participation. The decisive relief came through the timely intervention of the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, whose support once again proved instrumental in safeguarding the future of the state-owned football team.

The announcement, which arrived just days before Heartland’s fixture against Crown FC of Ogbomosho at the Soun Township Stadium, sparked widespread excitement within the club. Players, technical staff, and supporters welcomed the governor’s intervention as a major boost to the Naze Millionaires’ morale and competitive readiness.

According to the club’s management, the lingering debts were inherited from previous administrations and had long posed an obstacle to the team’s smooth operation. With the clearance now secured, the club is fully eligible to compete in the new NNL season without bureaucratic setbacks or the threat of disqualification.

Heartland FC’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, lauded the governor’s unwavering commitment to the club’s progress. He described the intervention as both timely and transformative, offering renewed motivation and a clear path for the team to focus exclusively on football excellence.

“We are deeply grateful to His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for coming through for Heartland FC once again. His intervention has brought relief and renewed motivation to the entire team. We can now fully focus on our football and deliver the results that will make Imo people proud,” Amuneke expressed, reaffirming the club’s dedication to professionalism, transparency, and accountability.

The debt clearance marks a fresh chapter for the Owerri-based side, signaling stronger administrative stability and strengthening the club’s prospects as the season begins. Heartland FC officials expressed gratitude on behalf of the players, supporters, and the broader Imo football community, emphasizing that Governor Uzodimma’s consistent support to sports development continues to be a catalyst for growth in the state.

With administrative hurdles now behind them, the Naze Millionaires head into their clash with Crown FC in high spirits, determined to repay the governor’s goodwill with spirited performances and results that will reflect Imo State’s rising sports profile.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-1 victory over Gabon in today’s FIFA World Cup qualifying Africa Playoff match, describing the performance as a clear expression of the Nigerian character that rises, adapts, and prevails.

President Tinubu noted that the team played with courage, balance, and precision, and reminded the country that football has always been one of Nigeria’s most potent symbols of unity and shared pride.

He stated that the victory adds fresh momentum to the national spirit and strengthens the collective resolve to secure a place at the World Cup.

President Tinubu commended the players, the coaching staff, and the entire technical and administrative crew for their unwavering commitment to the national cause, adding that the dedication has brought the national team victory.

He added that the victory reflects the deep pool of talent that Nigeria continues to produce and the determination of the Super Eagles to reclaim their place among the continent’s most respected teams.

The President also praised the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who continue to support the team with passion and loyalty, emphasising that their energy remains a powerful driving force for the players, especially at critical moments of international competition.

In a message to the squad, President Tinubu reiterated the need for the team to build on this victory and remain focused on the remaining qualifiers. He stated that every match presents an opportunity to show discipline and character, and to prove again that Nigeria’s ambition is firmly within reach.

According to President Tinubu, “this is the true Nigerian spirit of resilience against all odds. Do not stop until you secure a qualification. Super Eagles, keep soaring. The nation stands with you!”