HEARTLAND FC Must Not Die Part 2 – Ohakim

Then under Governor Ikedi Ohakim from 2007, Professor Nnamdi Obiaraeri Commissioner for Youths and Sports rejuvenated the Heartland FC management and made it gun for continental honours. The ebulent Professor of law brought in prominent Imo sons philanthropists, technocrats to help raise fund for the club. He did well to make management of the club become the interest of the Governor who provided all their needs. Heartland FC became the toast of the best players in the league and monies were provided to procure the best for the team. Heartland paraded the strongest squad under Ohakim. See team list; Goalkeepers; Augustine Brown, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Defenders; Adama A Odey, Chinedu Efugh, Emmanuel Olowo, Joseph Eyimofe, Joseph Jonny Jackson, Kennedy Chiwo, Kingsley Udoh, Orji Okagbue, Peter Ambrose, Thankgod Ike. Midfielders; Bill Sherif, Damian Udeh, Elvis Kingsley, Emmanuel Omodiagbe, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Julius Ubido, Onyekachi Okoye, Philip Obhufuoso, Stanley Okoro. Forward/Strikers; Bello KofarMata, Chibuzor Ozurumba, Emeka Nwanna, Emeka Onouha, Emmanuel Nwachi, John Owoeri, Joshua Obaje, Okechukwu Nwadike, Signs Chibambo.
The team was highly motivated under a very professional management. And in 2008, Heartland FC finished second in the Premier League thereby earning the clubs teaming supporters a return to continental football.
Under Ohakim Heartland FC had a good run and campaign at the CAF Continental Championship. They beat Black Stars 4-0 and in return leg they beat them 1-6. They beat FAR Rabat 3-1 in Owerri and in Morroco they drew them 1-1. They beat Cotton Sport 2-1 and in return leg drew them 1-1. They lost 0-2 to TP Mazembe and beat them 3-1 in return leg in Owerri. They beat Monomotapa 3-1 and lost 2-1 to them in return leg to qualify for the Semi Final Stage where they drew fellow Nigerian side, Kano Pillars. Governor Ohakim gave Heartland FC massive support, such that it became the pride of Nigeria at the continental level after Enyimba FC reigns of the 20s. In the battle for the Semi Final ticket, the highly motivated Heartland FC team defeated Kano Pillars by 4-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri on Sunday, 4th October, 2009. What they thought would be an easy ride in Kano proved to be tricky, as Governor Ohakim’s Kano counterpart and the entire northern part of the country, threw their weight behind their team who were already 4-0 down to Heartland FC on aggregate. Kano Pillars did everything to upturn the Heartland FC advantage, but that was not going to be as the then Governor of Imo state threw a good showing by leading a high powered Imo State contingent comprising both government officials, regular fans and Imo citizens who yearned for the long awaited continental trophy.
On Saturday 10th October, 2009 Heartland were in Kano to play Kano Pillars at the SaniAbacha Stadium right at the heart of Kano City. To watch the CAF Champions Leagues Semi Finals were the two governors, Ibrahim Shekarau (host) of Kano State and IkediOhakim (guest) of Imo State. The two-goal hero in the first leg semi-final a week ago at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Uche Agba, grabbed the winner a minute from time with a stunning shot from over 25 yards, which bounced in front of a diving goalkeeper Theophilus Joel before resting at the back of the net. The all-Nigerian clash was halted for about 10 minutes mid-way through the second half when disappointed Kano fans threw missiles into the pitch and then attacked their Heartland FC visiting rivals. Governor Ohakim’s security guards scrambled to shield him with hands and suits from the stones and objects being thrown by the Kano fans because the too good a team had beaten Pillars in their own backyard? One witness remembered Governor Ohakim yelling at MallamShekarau saying, “call your people to order and I will not leave this stadium without my boys”.
The whole Stadium laid siege on the Governors Imo State contingent and threatened to burn all their vehicles and buses with the players and fans. All persuasion by the security to evacuate Governor Ohakim fell on deaf ears as he insisted on leaving with the entire Imo state contingent and the victorious HeartlandFC players and crew. They were kept at the stadium till late in the evening at 8pm. The Governor Ohakim team put a serious call to Abuja and a heavy detachment of Mobile Police, Military and DSS stormed the city centre with tear gas and the whole chaos was settled. Governor IkediOhakim left that stadium with the Heartland team bus to their hotel. MallamShekarauapologised to Ikedi, and sorted out the team bills and promised that no more harm will occur to them.
To play TP Mazembe in Lumumbashi after a 2-1 victory in Owerri, the President approved a Presidential fleet to convey the Owerri high contingent to motivate the players and bring back the trophy. Governor Ohakim led a strong contingent comprising Imo government officials, Federal Government/NFF and press to watch the CAF Champions League 2nd Leg finals live at Lubumbashi, Congo DR with. TP Mazembe. The home side just needed a lone goal to win that game. The hostility against this team was glaring, right from reception they gave the delegation to the manner they threw everything at the HeartlandFC team. According to a witness, the only thing that wasnt thrown at them was the kitchen sink. President Kabila was at that Stadium, and seated to his left was Governor IkediOhakim.
Close source reported how Ohakim while exchanging pleasantries with President Kabila told the Nigerian Ambassador to Congo DR that Nigeria’s President had asked him never to return to Nigeria without the trophy, and the men all had a good laugh. President Kabila retorted when the message was interpreted to him in French that the Congo DR that his people has asked him to resign if the trophy leaves for Nigeria. Another round of laughter erupted. Game ended 1-0 with HeartlandFC losing the trophy. Governor Ohakim felt like shedding tears on a strange land, but as a leader, he summoned courage to uplift his team and contingent.
Ohakim still made sure the players and management smiled home despite not brining the trophy home and the next season they came second again, losing out on the League trophy. HeartlandFC ended the CAF campaign with UcheAgba ending up as 4th highest goal scorer with six goals. The duo of Ike ThankGod and Stanley Okoro made the CAF Champions League top scorers with three goals apiece.
Where did we get it wrong? Wait for Part 3