Players of Heartland FC, Gabriel Lekan and Ebetomame Oghenetegra, have spoken about the team’s mindset ahead of their crucial Nigeria Premier Football League fixture against Niger Tornadoes at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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With Heartland locked in a relegation battle, both players stressed the importance of courage, mental strength, and collective belief as the team looks to turn their season around.
Oghenetegra admitted the squad is fully aware of the stakes involved but insisted that bravery and focus will be key to getting a positive result.
“We all know what’s at stake, but the most important thing is that we need to have courage and be brave. We need to have strong minds, focus, and try to bring the best results,” he said.
Gabriel Lekan echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of resilience and learning from past setbacks as Heartland fight to climb away from the danger zone.
“I believe the team is focused on relentless effort, mental strength, and learning from our failures to achieve greatness,” Gabriel said.
Currently sitting at the bottom of the NPFL table with 25 points from 26 matches, the Pride of Imo know that every fixture is now a must-win as they battle to secure their top-flight status.
Sunday’s clash against Niger Tornadoes presents a major opportunity for Heartland to pick up vital points in front of their home fans, with the players calling on supporters to rally behind the team in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
