John Owoeri, a former Flying Eagles forward, has posited that Heartland of Owerri need to sign at least five or six experienced players, including strikers, to have a strong and competitive squad that will shoulder their promotion campaign back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Completesports.com reports.

Owoeri, 39, who plies his trade with Thimphu Football Club, Bhutan, in Asia, spoke in Owerri on Wednesday after the Naze Millionaires lost 1-3 to Enyimba in a pre-season match at Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Owoeri was on the books of Heartland in the 2009/10 season following a move from Enyimba, having returned to the domestic league after a spell at Feyenoord of the Netherlands.

The former Flying Eagles star and one-cap Super Eagles forward admitted that building a competitive team takes a gradual process but was emphatic in his submission that the five-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions need experienced legs to pull through the season.

Also Read: NNL: Amuneke Confirms Heartland’s Preparations For 2026/2027 Season Underway

“It’s a gradual process. A good house is never built in one day. It’s little by little. But I think Heartland needs some experienced players — like five or six — to join the young players so that such a blend of experience and youthfulness can help them gain promotion back to the NPFL, where I believe Heartland belong,” Owoeri began.

“So the important thing now is for Heartland to get some experienced players and I think everything will be fine if this is done.”

Heartland Need More Experience In The Squad

The Naze Millionaires were not clinical in the final third during the pre-season Oriental Derby clash, and Owoeri quickly reminded his former team that there is a need for the injection of a quality striker into the team to shoulder their scoring responsibilities.

“I think the team needs to work more on goal scoring. You don’t win a match without scoring goals. If you’re playing as a team without a goal scorer, ultimately you don’t have a team.

“So, Heartland needs quality strikers who can get the ball into the back of the net. When you don’t score, you don’t win any game. Most of the players out there are trying but certainly, Heartland need strikers.”

Owoeri Backs Amuneke’s Return To Domestic League

He poured encomiums on coach Emmanuel Amuneke for his decision to return to the domestic league to help out with coaching in the Nigerian league.

Also Read: NNL: Amuneke Admits Heartland Missed Promotion Chance After First-Stanza Struggles

“He’s a great guy. All he needs is support from the fans and the people, and I believe everything will be fine.”

Heartland Promotion Push

During his illustrious career in the domestic league, Owoeri featured for Bendel Insurance, Sunshine Stars and Warri Wolves, amongst others.

His European career began with a move to Feyenoord in 2005, Westerlo of Belgium on loan in 2006, Ismaily of Egypt (2010–2012), Åtvidabergs FF of Sweden (2013–2015), BK Häcken of Sweden, Shanghai Shenxin of China, Inner Mongolia Zhongyou, Shaanxi Chang’an Athletic, Beijing BSU, IFK Mariehamn, Bankhai United and Futera United.

 

 

<!–

–>