It is no longer news that the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri has been banned from hosting NPFL games and Heartland FC banished from playing their home league games in front of their darling fans.
It is however still a mystery to some soccer enthusiasts especially die hard supporters of Heartland FC as to why former league champions were banned from playing their home games in Owerri.
Earlier, before the commencement of the NPFL 2023/24 season, the Owerri Landlords alongside Abia Warriors were given a temporary approval to host their homes games in their own stadia but shortly before the end of the league’s first stanza, the IMC/NPFL organizers issued a ban order against both Oriental NPFL club sides following the detoriating state of their pitch which the league organizers said were no longer palatable for TV.
Recall that the IMC/NPFL body kick started this season’s league with TV partnership deals which has seen good number of the matches on television as they continue to bring innovations for the development of the league.
Heartland who’s home ground seems to be the worst hit has since declared that their second half league home games will be hosted at the Awka City Stadium in Anambra State until repair work is finished on their home ground.
Although no statement has been made by the club as to when they hope to return to their ground the team is expected to host their next NPFL match against Plateau United in Awka come Wednesday February 14, 2024.
