NPFL 2019/20: Heartland Will Overcome Blending Problem, Finish in Top 3 –Chairman Ezekwem

Heartland will overcome their early season poor run to eventually fight and claim one of the top three positions at the end of the season, club chairman, Barrister Charles Ezekwem told Completesports.com in an exclusive interview.

The Naze Millionaires got off to a poor start in 2019/2020 NPFL season with a 1-0 home defeat to MFM FC, and the result adding up to the leadership crisis rocking the very foundation of the five-time league winners.

After a 1-1 draw at Rivers United on matchday-two, there were hopes that Heartland’s early season setback was gone, but Akwa Starlets stormed Okigwe and snatched a slice of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Ezekwem told Completesports.com that Heartland’s present predicament is due to problem of blending . He also believes the team will come good as soon as they jell and that they will eventually be among the top finishers at the end of the season.

“What you are seeing at the moment which of course is behind our not too impressive results so far is because the team is yet to fully blend,”Ezekwem said.

“You know the club went through a major overhaul at the end of last season. Now we have about 35 players all coming from different clubs with different orientations and mentality.

“They are yet to fully blend together with the old players and get through with the new coach’s philosophy.

“We have a good coach, highly experienced coach for that matter, Fidelis Ilechukwu, and I’m sure you know him and his pedigree.

“Heartland will come good, I’m sure of that, as soon as the team blends. We will even finish among the top teams at the end of the season.

“So, no hope is lost. We have a good team and we will get there at the end of the day”.

Heartland have two points after three games. Their next match is against Lobi Stars in Makurdi on Wednesday.