I Did Not Lock Heartland Players Out Of My Hotel – Downtown Hotel Owner
By Our Correspondent
The owner of a hotel in Owerri, Imo State have debunked report that his apartment ejected players and officials of Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL side, Heartland Football Club out on Saturday, www bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.
The owner of the apartment Mr Emmanuel Oparanozie who disclosed this said he never chased the players and officials out of the Downtown Hotel located around MCC Uratta Road, Owerri North.
Mr Oparanozie denied the report adding that he nor any other person carried out such act stressing that before the team departed for Kaduna on Saturday, he prayed for them and wished them well.
“I did not lock players out. They left for Kaduna this morning (Saturday) and before they left, I prayed for them and wished them well. If I wished them well and prayed for them, how can I lock them out? Most of them are still in the hotel here, so it is not right to say that I locked them out,” Mr Oparanozie said
When contacted, the Media Officer of the Club said the report is untrue adding that the players and officials of the team were not chased out from any hotel.
He noted that the club left Owerri on Saturday for Kaduna and will arrive on Sunday for their Monday matchday 25 clash with Wikki Tourists.
Heartland FC, five-time winners of the NPFL, are 18th on the 2022 NPFL league table and will hope to pick a point in Kaduna.