Heartland players call off strike

On Wednesday the players embarked on an indefinite strike to demand for the payment of the balance of their signing-on fees as well as to persuade the Imo State government to fulfil its promise to the team after their 2011 Federation Cup victory. Heartland’s captain, Chinedu Efugh who led three others, vice captain Emmanuel Olowo, […]

On Wednesday the players embarked on an indefinite strike to demand for the payment of the balance of their signing-on fees as well as to persuade the Imo State government to fulfil its promise to the team after their 2011 Federation Cup victory.

Heartland’s captain, Chinedu Efugh who led three others, vice captain Emmanuel Olowo, Julius Ubido and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu to the meeting with general manager, Fan Ndubuoke, told SuperSport.com that they agreed to call off the strike after the management explained to them effort which both club and the state government are making to ensure that the money is paid.

“We agreed to call off the strike based on his explanation.

“But we still need to confer with our teammates since the decision to embark on strike was taken jointly by the players.

“We are hopeful they will go ahead with us on the decision we reached with the management.

“We equally hope that the management will abide by their side of the bargain so that we will not have any reason to resume the strike,” he said.

The meeting was attended by the team’s technical consultant, Christian Chukwu.

Ndubuoke was believed to have hinted the players on his management’s plan to reorganise the playing squad next season.

Heartland have a daunting task to improve on their 12th position on the elite league log with three matches to wrap up the season and two of which are against their oriental foes, Enugu Rangers and Enyimba.

The Naze Millionaires will represent the country in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.