Nigerian Club Punish Team for Poor Performance, Place Players on Half Salaries

• Heartland football club have placed their players on half-salaries
• The NPFL club suffered a 5-1 home defeat to rivals Plateau United
• Heartland currently languish at the bottom of the league standings

The management of Heartland Football Club has taken a drastic step to curb the team's poor performances in the Nigeria Professional Football League by placing its players on half salaries.

The Imo State club were walloped 5-1 in front of their supporters at the Awka City Stadium on Wednesday, February 28, by Plateau United, prompting the action from the club’s hierarchy.

According to the Daily Post, the Heartland General Manager Promise Nwachukwu also noted that further punishment awaits the team if they fail to step up in subsequent games.

“The club management has decided to slash the salaries of the players by half as from now henceforth until the team’s performance improves,” Nwachukwu told the club’s media.

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Heartland looks destined to be relegated from Nigeria’s topflight league as they presently occupy the bottom spot in the current standings with just 18 points from 22 games played so far this season.

Fans blast Heartland for poor form

Meanwhile, Heartland fans have expressed their disappointment following the team’s scandalous defeat to Plateau United, which left them rooted to the bottom of the NPFL table, The Whistler reports.

The latest result did not sit well with some supporters who questioned the commitment of the players and the club’s technical crew after their 5-1 humiliation at home.

Heartland will play their next NPFL game on the 3rd of March against Sunshine Stars of Akure, who are 15th on the league table at the Awka City Stadium.

Brief history of Heartland FC

Per Sports Brief, Heartland FC is one of Nigeria's oldest and most successful teams. The club has also produced talented players who have previously represented the Super Eagles.

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Superstars such as Uche Okechukwu, Kanu Nwankwo, Ben Iroha, late Thompson Oliha and winger Friday Elaho played for the Nigerian club at some point in their illustrious careers.

Heartland, previously known as the Hearts or Spartans, has a lengthy history. It was originally known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, and the team won a number of championships between 1980 and 1990.