Few weeks ahead of the resumption of 2012/13 Nigerian Premier league season, back – to – back federation cup champions Heartland FC may soon loose the services of their key players.
According to reports gathered by Imo Trumpeta, several key players of the Naze Millionaires may soon be heading to other club sides in the country and possibly outside the country.
A source very close to the players did reveal that most of the players who have shown their desire to look elsewhere come next season will be doing so due to the management decision to stop paying players sign – on – fees.
The General Manager of the federation cup champions Mr. Fan Ndubuoke stated immediately after his side piped Lobi Stars in the final of the 2012 federation cup, that his team are considering dropping the idea of paying players huge sign – on – fees, instead it will begin to pay players improved salaries, a move he assured will help to put an end to the constant strike actions the players were always staging in protest to their delayed outstanding sign – on – fees.
Meanwhile, football pundits have been expressing their doubts on how the senior players would handle the management’s decision.
The state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Kenneth Emelu during a press briefing to unveil the companies handling the two new Olympic size stadia in Orlu and Okigwe also took time to explain the changes that will take place in Heartland next season when he stated that his ministry and the teams management have decided on scraping off sign – on – fees.
Recently, the team’s captain, Chinedu Efugh (Chicago) was quoted to have made up his mind to leave to another club having served Heartland so well. It is however not yet determined the reason behind his decision.
As the club prepares for next year’s CAF confederation cup competition, one wonders how the management intends to handle players like Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Mosquito), Chinedu Efugh (Captain), Obinna Nwachuwku, Osas Okoro, Kabiru Umar, Kingsley Udoh, Julius Ubido, Emmanuel Olowo and others especially without sign – on – fees and still challenge for honors.
