It took a single goal scored in the first half and a controversial call by the match referee to save former Super Eagles’ winger, Emmanuel Amuneke from crashing out of Imo State FA Cup with Heartland FC on Wednesday.
Sports247 reports that Amuneke has been under pressure since the start of this year, following his inability to get exciting results with Heartland of Owerri and his woes deepened with their failed efforts at gaining promotion back to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) this season.
Read Also: Imo State’s Commissioner For Sports Honourable Reveals Achievements After ‘Barely Two Years’ In Office
With The Naze Millionaires already doomed for another season in the lower cadre Nigerian National League (NNL) next term, many fans of the Owerri-based outfit are already calling for Amuneke’s exit, especially with allegations of fishy dealings rising against him.
The storm kept gathering ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-finals fixture at Ngor Okpala, where losing to their cadet team would have not only sent Heartland packing from the competition but would have also cost Amuneke his job.
However, despite all odds, Heartland managed to beat Comets 1-0 courtesy of a scrambled first half goal, while what looked like a neat equaliser by the less fancied opponents was ruled out by the referee after he appeared to have consulted with football officials on the side line.
“This is daily robbery,” declared a member of Comets’ crew. “They brought the match out of Owerri to this hidden place so that they can cheat us and help Heartland to win.
“That’s how they disallowed our goal, even after Heartland’s players accepted it, and they were ready to pass at the centre circle.
“Before they could restart, someone called the referee to the sideline, and he returned to overule our goal. They just did that to prevent us from eliminating Heartland.”
A cross-section of the spectators spoken to by Sports247 declared that it was a plot by officials of Imo State Football Association to keep Heartland in the competition and save Amuneke’s job.
“It’s just a matter of time before he goes. Even the governor is fed up. They have flooded money into the club, but the results have not improved,” one of the fans asserted.
