The estranged players of Heartland Football Club have all threatened to exit the former cup champions due to the poor financial state of the team before the commencement of the new season.
Trumeta sports desk gathered that 80% of the players have vowed to look elsewhere for greener pasture since their contract came to an end on Sunday evening after their last league game away to Nasarawa United in Lafia.
It would be recalled that the players during the just concluded season carried out series of strike actions in protest of their unpaid sign-on fees which according to them is put at 100% for the season just ended.
On those occasions, the authorities always interavned with lots of pleas promising to pay them without keeping their words.
Heartland who finished 11 on the final log were in the first stanza placed first only to end up losing three home games, drawing two home games, disgraced out of the Caf Confederation cup for poor administration and lack of fund as well as get knocked out in the Federation cup to round-up a tale of woes for a team that were filled with the prospect of becoming league champions.
Meanwhile with the end of the season on Sunday, sports analysts have picked the Nigeria league team of the season playing a 4-4-2 formation without any Heartland player mentioned
GOALKEEPER
Femi Thomas (Enyimba)
The best goalkeeper in the league this season. The former Akwa United shot stopper was outstanding throughout the season for the Peoples Elephants so much so that he only let in 12 goals in 28 matches.
DEFENDERS
Bright Esieme (Enyimba)
This promising right fullback was one of the revelations of the season. He came into Enyimba from ABS FC and has since established himself as a regular in the team. It is a performance that has earned him a call-up to the Eagles team ‘B’.
Mutiu Adegoke (3SC)
Veteran left full back was a great performer for 3SC. Despite his team’s relegation to the NNL, Mutiu showed class as a quality left back with great defending and still managed to fire some goals from free kick.
Chinedu Udoji (Enyimba)
Enyimba skipper was instrumental to Enyimba being the meanest defence this season past season they conceded. He marked with great tenacity, marshalled and controlled the defence perfectly. However, he seemed to falter during the later weeks of the campaign.
Salomon Junior (Bayelsa United)
Benin Republic international central defender has put up a great performance for his side to finish third best on their return to the top flight. He has been an inspirational captain for his team, always calm on and off the ball.
MIDFIELDERS
Rasheed Olabiyi (Enyimba)
Olabiyi is a workaholic midfielder. He has great marking ability, good dribble runs and good passes. He is a complete midfielder who gives the back four good cover.
Oghenekaro Etebor (Warri Wolves)
Oghenekaro called Karo by his team mates is a great player in the making. The youngster has shown great class to deservedly be called up by the Super Eagles. He scored 16 goals this past season to finish as second highest scorer in the league.
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
He is a top quality midfielder, he is the most deadly midfielder in Nigeria league. He is a free kick specialist and he scored some great goals. His dribbling skills are superb and he took up the Kano Pillars goals scoring responsibilities with 15 goals when top striker Gambo Mohammed faltered. He has finally found his way back to the Eagles squad.
Stanley Dimgba (Kwara United)
His club may have been relegated and he is not exactly the most popular name around the league,, ebut he is a proven silent achiever. The Ex-Plateau United star contributed a lot to Kwara United in term of stability between midfield and attack. He scored four goals and made several assists.
STRIKERS Mfom Udoh (Akwa United)
This is the youngster’s second season in the Nigerian top flight after he did not see action last season. He has been a revelation this season with classy performances and netting 15 goals, though his team struggled before they finally survived on the last day.
Victor Namo (Nasarawa United) Nigeria league top scorer with 18 goals is the best striker for the season. His goals proved he is a top-class striker despite his team’s struggles.
