By Kayode John
It went from bad to worse for Nigerian football legend, Emmanuel Amuneke, on Saturday, after Heartland fell to a 3-1 <span;>Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)<span;> defeat to Rivers United, coached by another great, Finidi George.
Heartland suffered a 3-1 home loss to Enyimba last weekend, in Amuneke’s first game as the head coach of the Owerri-based outfit.
The result put Amuneke under some pressure to obtain a favourable result going into the clash with Rivers United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
However, their hosts made their intention known early in the game as Taofeek Otaniyi put them in the lead after just three minutes when he headed home from Okon Aniekeme’s cross.
Heartland fought back and were level in first half added time through Christian Molokwu.
In the 60th minute, former Super Eagles coach Finidi rang some changes, bringing on Kabir Abdullahi for Ubong Friday and Emmanuel Nnaji for Mathias Samuel.
Abdullahi restored Rivers United’s lead eight minutes later and then made sure of the points in the 94th minute with a spectacular free-kick.
The victory leaves Rivers United with four points from two matches and Heartland winless in two matches, piling more pressure on Amuneke, who has been tasked by the club’s management to pick a continental ticket this season.
