By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
ACLSportsACLSportsACLSports
9
Notification Show More
NewsNWFLWomen's Football
Bayelsa Queens ramp up WAFU prep with friendly wins
24 hours ago
#YourSportsMemoBlogsNewsSuper FalconsWomen's Football
WAFCON 2024 Semifinal Preview: Nigeria vs South Africa
24 hours ago
#YourSportsMemoBlogsNewsSuper Falcons
WAFCON Diary Six: hotels, hot showers and suspicious pepper soup
1 day ago
CompetitionFootballNewsSuper Eagles
CAF GS Mosengo-Omba impressed by CHAN 2024 Readiness
1 day ago
Age-Group FootballFootballNews
U20WAFUB: Flying Eagles to battle Ivory Coast in final
2 days ago
BlogsGrassrootsNaijaheroesNews
All Africa Games 1999: host’s hostility and “God of TB Joshua”
3 days ago
BasketballCompetitionNews
FIBA U19 WWC: Junior D’Tigress finish 12th in historic debut
3 days ago
NewsWomen's Football
Fenerbahçe confirm Sabastine Flourish Chioma signing 
3 days ago
BlogsCompetitionNewsWomen's Football
WAFCON 2024 Semifinals: Powerhouses clash as line-up is confirmed
3 days ago
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Football
  • Naijaheroes
  • Grassroots
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • News
  • More
    • Laughter, Leather & Losses
    • #YOURSPORTSMEMO Podcast
    • Blogs
    • Competition
Reading: NPFL: Obi expects Heartland to stay up despite difficulties
Share
Font ResizerAa
ACLSportsACLSports
Search
  • Home
  • Laughter, Leather & Losses
  • Football
  • Naijaheroes
  • Grassroots
  • Basketball
  • Athletics
  • News
  • #YourSportsMemo
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
ACLSports > Blog > Football > NPFL > NPFL: Obi expects Heartland to stay up despite difficulties
FootballInterviewsNewsNPFL

NPFL: Obi expects Heartland to stay up despite difficulties

Fisayo Dairo
Last updated: January 13, 2018 8:34 am
Fisayo Dairo
Published: January 13, 2018
Share
As featured on NewsNow: Sport news
Sport News 24/7 

Heartland FC goalkeeper Ebele Obi is hopeful his newly promoted side will keep their league status at the end of the 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season in spite of their preparation difficulties.

Obi, older sibling of Super Eagles captain, Mikel was voted Player of the Season by Heartland fans at the end of last season after an impressive qualification run which ensured the team make a swift return back to the elite division.
The veteran of over a decade in the league is optimistic his team will keep their status and believes that aim will be their biggest ambition for the season. “A good season for us will be for us to remain in the NPFL, nothing else,” a candid Obi told www.aclsports.com  “We have to work hard, it’s not easy because for the team that just gained promotion back to the NPFL, I know it’s going to be difficult because we are not really prepared,” added the former Rangers goalkeeper.

Heartland have not been as busy as their NPFL contemporaries during the off season despite resuming early for pre-season as we reported here. ( https://aclsports.com/6594-2/  ) The team’s major action of pre-season came in the NNL Super Four held earlier this week in Lagos. Obi acknowledges this will make it difficult for them.

“We didn’t go for any pre-season tournament or had any closed camping. Nothing was done. So I know it’s going to be a little bit difficult for us but we’re going to push in between the league and at the end of the day (hope to) remain in the NPFL.”
Relegation at the end of the 2015/16 season was the first time Heartland (formerly called Iwuanyawu Nationale and Spartans) would drop from the top flight in their illustrious history and Obi is delighted to be back among the elites.

- Advertisement -

“It feels great (to be back). This is what every footballer wants, to play in the higher league in the country. Last season we were in the NNL and we had it in mind we didn’t need to be there and at the end of the day we worked extra hard and we got the desired result.”

Heartland will start their campaign on Sunday with a home tie against Sunshine Stars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

PL: Gabon striker Aubameyang commits future to Arsenal 
Gymnastics: Oluwateniola, Jedidiah dazzle at Boston Cup
Bundesliga Preview: Bayern welcome Wolfsburg
AFCON2019: Algeria coach Belmadi targets AFCON title
Usman Abd’Allah eyes promotion with Katsina United
TAGGED:Ebele ObiHeartland of OwerriJohn Mikel ObiNPFL
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Previous Article NPFL: Hope it can recapture the Nigerian fan
Next Article Bundesliga: Bayern extend lead with Leverkusen win
Leave a Comment

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Categories

YourSportsMemo

Latest News

Bayelsa Queens ramp up WAFU prep with friendly wins
News NWFL Women's Football
WAFCON 2024 Semifinal Preview: Nigeria vs South Africa
#YourSportsMemo Blogs News Super Falcons Women's Football
WAFCON Diary Six: hotels, hot showers and suspicious pepper soup
#YourSportsMemo Blogs News Super Falcons
CAF GS Mosengo-Omba impressed by CHAN 2024 Readiness
Competition Football News Super Eagles

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow

Archives

Latest News

Fenerbahçe confirm Sabastine Flourish Chioma signing 
News Women's Football
WAFCON 2024 Semifinals: Powerhouses clash as line-up is confirmed
Blogs Competition News Women's Football
WAFCON Diary Five: Bread, five goals and a driver with a proposal
#YourSportsMemo Blogs News Super Falcons

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 14.8K other subscribers
ACLSportsACLSports
Follow US
© ACLSports. All Rights Reserved.
adbanner