Heartland’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, acknowledged that his team is still a “work in progress” despite securing their first away win of the season against Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Sunday.
The victory marked the Naze Millionaires’ first-ever away win in Umuahia since the formation of Abia Warriors in 2003. Amuneke expressed his delight, emphasizing that his side had achieved their primary goal of winning the match.
The 1994 CAF African Player of the Year also praised Abia Warriors and their coach Imama Amapakabo, commending the home team for making the game challenging for Heartland, particularly in the first half, where they created several scoring opportunities.
“I will say we are happy. We came here with an objective to win the game and we achieved that. We also need to recognise the Abia Warriors team. They played well and gave us a lot of problems mostly in the first half but we were able to manage the situation,” Amuneke told journalists in Umuahia.
“Oriental derby should be brotherly game but unfortunately everyone wants to win in football. We are more than determined to get out of the position we are currently are.
“We respect Abia Warriors a lot and the coach, Imama is a brother to me. We have spent time in the national team together. Bethel also I played with him. When we started this journey, a lot of people never believed in the players and the journey but we were focused knowing that nothing happens without a process.”
Amuneke urged his boys not rest on the away win but to make corrections to the areas they were found wanting in Umuahia before their weekend’s tie with Sunshine Stars in Owerri.
“We shall go back home, make corrections and prepare very well for Sunshine Stars.”
