The management of Heartland FC of Owerri has disengaged 20 players at the end of the just-concluded season.
The Public Relations Officer of the club, Cajethan Nkwopara, who announced the sacking of the players on Thursday in Owerri said that the sacking of the players had reduced the number of players in the team to 23, adding however, that seven new players would be recruited before the commencement of the new season next month.
He disclosed that one U-17 player from Cote d’Ivoire and two players from Togo had been invited for trials with the club, preparatory to engaging them.
In addition, he said that the club had embarked on open trials for players in rural communities in Imo.
The club’s spokesman regretted that the premiership side had a poor showing in the 2013 season but said that plans were ongoing to prepare the club for future challenges.
The club, which began the last season with impressive results, ended the season at the 11th position on the league table, with 52 points.
Nkwopara also said that the club had engaged on numerous friendly games to ascertain the level of players’ fitness as part of preparations for the new season.
He said the team would target to claim the 2014 premier league title and pick the ticket to contest in the continental competition next year.