Heartland FC has rejected a purported authorization for the temporary transfer of a Heartland Queens player to Guinea’s Association Sportive de Bolonta (AS Bolonta) for the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying competition, insisting that Technical Manager Emmanuel Amuneke was not involved.
Key takeaways
- The Owerri-based club said the circulated loan letter was unauthorized and invalid.
- Amuneke’s responsibilities cover only the men’s team, with no formal control over Heartland Queens.
- Heartland Queens coach Obi Ogbala said he was unaware of the alleged correspondence.
- The club plans to trace the document’s source and consider administrative and legal measures.
Heartland rejects letter
In a disclaimer released yesterday, Heartland labelled the document illegitimate and made clear that Amuneke had no involvement in its preparation or circulation.
The club said Amuneke’s appointment and mandate are confined “strictly” to the technical running of Heartland Football Club’s men’s side. It added that he holds no administrative, executive or statutory powers regarding Heartland Queens Football Club.
Heartland also said the signature appearing on the disputed letter was not Amuneke’s. The club maintained that neither he nor its management issued, endorsed or authorized the correspondence.
Obi Ogbala, the head coach of Heartland Queens, also confirmed that he knew nothing about the alleged letter.
Investigation and possible action
Heartland FC said it fully rejects any association between Amuneke, described as a former Super Eagles star, and the document. It called on the public, football governing bodies, media organizations and other stakeholders to ignore any effort to connect the coach or the club with the unauthorized communication.
The club reaffirmed its dedication to professional conduct, accountability and institutional integrity. It said it would investigate how the document originated and take suitable administrative and legal action against anyone responsible for using the club’s name without permission or falsely presenting its officials as involved.
