Heartland FC’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amunike, has made it clear that his focus for the ongoing Ifeanyi Ekwueme Tico/Select Preseason Tournament is not on lifting the trophy, but on evaluating the team’s new signings. The legendary former Nigerian international stated that the tournament is a crucial platform for him to assess how new players are adapting and integrating with the existing squad.
In a recent interview, Amunike explained, “We want to use it to see some of the new players that we have in the team; that is the main objective.” He emphasized that the primary goal extends beyond just securing victories, noting that the tournament serves as a tool for player development and motivation. “It is not all about winning… we have to see if the players can really fit into our plans and also use it to encourage them,” he added.
Despite the team’s convincing 3-0 victory against Inter Aba FC, Amunike urged caution against making hasty judgments based on a single performance. “You cannot judge people based on one game; we must also embrace that mistakes are also part of learning,” he stated.
Heartland FC will continue its campaign with a focus on player assessment and development. The team is scheduled to take on Excellent FC of Ughelli, Delta State, in their next fixture at 2 PM today at the Enyimba Stadium.
