NIGERIA Premier Football League (NPFL) side Heartland FC have appointed a new coach, Kennedy Boboye, to salvage the team’s poor run in the 2023/2024 season.
The ICIR reported that the team’s winless streak had ignited criticisms against the club and worried the club’s management and coaching crew.
Dissatisfied with the poor run that left the team at the bottom of the log, the management on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, announced the replacement of their coach Christian Obi, via the team’s ‘X’ handle.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with two-time NPFL winning coach Kennedy Boboye,” the statement read partly.
The new gaffer won the NPFL title with Plateau United in 2017 and repeated the same feat with Akwa Utd in 2021.
His job at Heartland FC takes immediate effect on a one-year deal with an option of a renewal.
Pictures posted on the club’s ‘X’ show Boboye began training with the players on Wednesday in preparation for his test in Oriental Derby against Enyimba International.
After his training with the players, the coach admitted that the club’s position on the log was not encouraging but expressed optimism to salvage the situation.
“We are lucky Heartland have its crisis now. As a coach, I normally pray to have my crisis early in the season because you can still rebuild, but when you have it towards the end of the season, if you don’t take time, you find yourself in relegation. I plead with the fans to still come out and support the team, we are going to turn things around,” the coach said.
The ICIR observed the comments that trailed the announcement of the new coach.
The comments were full of mixed reactions as some blamed the club for being silent over the departure of the former coach while some appreciated the club’s effort.
According to @cmeon7, the account owner pointed out the club did not bid farewell to the former coach.
“In the same statement, you also failed to announce or bid farewell to the erstwhile coach, Christian Obi, telling us if he was sacked or if he stepped aside.
“At least coin a “thank you” message for his service while at the club. You are an entity; please act like one,” the handler posted.
Quantized, another X user, shared the same view, accusing the club of being unprofessional in its statement.
“Welcome to Heartland, Coach Boboye. This is unprofessional from you guys, though. You should have announced the departure of the former coach, thanked him for his services, and wished him well in his future endeavours before announcing the arrival of the new coach,” he posted.
However, Kingsley Nwaneri, another X user, welcomed the new coach. “Welcome Kennedy Boboye,” he posted.
Kelly Pyrce did the same. “Welcome, coach,” he posted.