EMBATTLED Heartlands FC coach Kennedy Boboye was in tears after his club secured a 3-1 victory in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match day 16 fixtures against the league table leader Remo Stars.

The match was played on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Imo state.

Hours before the match’s kickoff, there were media reports alleging the re-elected state governor, Hope Udozodima, ordered the reinstatement of the club’s former coach, Christian Obi.

The ICIR reported how the club’s management parted ways with Christain Obi after a 10-winless streak, fueling pressure from the club’s supporters.

In the wake of the poor run performance, which kept the club at the bottom of the table for over ten weeks, the club’s management hired Boboye on November 22, 2023.

Boboye signed a one-year deal and was handed the assignment to salvage the club.

Since he assumed as the club’s manager, he has stayed in the dugout in six matches, winning three and drawing three to cluster ten points, pushing the club from 20th to 16th position on the log.

But recent developments cast doubts over Boboye’s continued stay at the club.

Thursday’s media reports claiming the reinstatement of the club’s former coach elicited mixed reactions on social media.

Despite the reports, Heartlands secured a 3-1 victory, thanks to Promise Anyawu and late goals by Onyekachi Okafor and Chinedu Ike after the regulation time in the second half, throwing the fans into jubilation.

As the euphoria rent the air, Boboye was seen in a viral video with a handkerchief he used to clean his face as he wept. The club’s supporters crowded him, echoing he must stay at the club.

In a chat with the club’s director of media, Solomon Onu, he could not confirm the media reports claiming Obi’s reinstatement.

Asked about the Imo state governor’s order to bring back the former coach, he said: “That is what we heard, but the mood in the camp is nice and friendly,” he said.