Heartland F.C

Heartland F.C (until 2006 known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale) We are a Nigerian Football club based in Owerri. We have never been relagated from the Nigerian Premier League.

History

Founded in 1979 as Spartans Football Club. We have won the Nigerian league championship previously four years in a row from 1987-1990. Our first international (friendly) match was against Ararats F.C. of the USSR which we won 2-0 at the Township Stadium, Tetlow Road, Owerri, in August 1976. Our home ground is the 15,000 all seated capacity Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.

Major land marks

Nov. 1985: Spartans FC renamed Iwuanyanwu Nationale FC following a successful change of ownership from Imo State Government to chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Jan. 1986: Iwuanyanwu Nationale embark on a 3-week training tour of Brazil. The club finished runner-up of Nigerian top league.

1987: Iwuanyanwu Nationale emerge league runners-up behind Leventis United on goal difference. But we later got the ticket to represent Nigeria in CAF Champions Cup following the disbandment of Leventis.

1988: Iwuanyanwu Nationale repeat as league champions as well as winning Nigerian FA Cup for first time, beating Flash Flamingoes of Benin in cup final 3-0. Reached CAF Champions Cup final, winning 1-0 in first leg tie in Ibadan, losing 4-0 in Constantine, Algeria in return leg versus Entente Setif.

1989: Retain league title but lost FA Cup following 0-1 loss in final to BCC Lions.

1990: Iwuanyanwu Nationale beat Stationery Stores of Lagos in Lagos in professional League's comemorative game 2-1. Nationale went on to emerge first pro league winners in Nigeria.

1991: Nationale lose league title to Julius Berger, crash out of CAF Champions Cup to Nakivubo of Uganda in semifinal.

1993: Club regain league title following a 2-0 away victory over El-Kanemi Warriors in last league fixture to edge out Bendel Insurance to the title race.

1994: Reach champions cup quarterfinal. Lose 3-0 to Esperance of Tunisia in first leg tie, September 18. Aboard a chartered Oriental Airline, the team suffered an aircrash at Tamanrasset, Southern Algeria same night. Two players, defender Aimola Omale and goalkeeper Uche Ikeogu lost their lives.

CAF consequently shifted the return leg match in Owerri from October 3, to October 10. Nationale crashed out following a 1-1 draw in the return leg match.

1999: Emerged regular league champions but lost title to Lobi Stars of Makurdi in the inaugural Super League playoff.

2005: Finished third in premier league and also in the Coca-Cola FA Cup with coach Stanley Eguma in charge.

2006: Imo State Government re-acquire ownership of the club on February 7 from chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, re-naming it Heartland FC.

2008: Finished second in premier league by one point to Kano Pillars, earned a Champions League slot.

Achievements

·Nigerian Premier League: 5 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993

·Nigerian FA Cup: 1 1988
·
African Cup of Champions Clubs 1988 (runners-up)

Performance in CAF Competitions

African Cup of Champions Clubs: 4 appearances
1988: Finalist
1989: Second Round
1990: Semi-Final
1991: Semi-Final
1994: Quarter-Final

CAF Confederation Cup: 1 appearance 2006 - Group Stage

CAF Cup: 1 appearance
2000 - Semi-Final