Former Heartland boss is disappointed at having to leave the club
Samson Siasia, who led Nigeria to Olympic silver medal in 2008, has been appointed coach of Caf Champions League campaigners Heartland of Owerri.
Highly respected in the country following his success with the national youth teams, the 42-year-old had also been tipped to succeed Lars Lagerback as the Super Eagles coach before the Heartland appointment.
Club spokesman Cajetan Nkwopara said Siasia has been given a six-month contract with the 'Naze Millionaires' six days before they face Egyptian side Al-Ahly in the Caf Champions League.
"Siasia was presented to the media on Monday evening and has since joined the team at their training camp in Nnewi," Nkwopara told BBC Sport.
"His first task is to make sure the team win against Ahly on Sunday and he has told us he is here for business.
"He comes with a wealth of experience and he will surely enjoy the support of the management, fans, players and everyone connected with this club," Nkwopara continued.
Siasia, a former Nigerian international striker replaces Kelechi Emeteole, who was in charge when the club finished as runner-up in last year's Champions League.
Despite his relationship with the team dating back to the 1970s, Emeteole was fired following the club's eight place finish in the just concluded Nigeria league season.
But Emeteole insists his sack had nothing to do with the performance of the team on the pitch but off it.
"My players were always demanding because they owe them a lot, the players were always going on strike." Emeteole told BBC Sport.
"And they [club management] said that I and my chief coach are the brain behind it, that we instigated it.
"But we have been doing a lot to make sure they carry on until money is available," he continued.
Emeteole says he is concerned about the timing of his sack.
"The coach that is coming is good, but the problem is the timing. I don't see how he can do magic to succeed.
"But you know Nigeria that's our mentality. You saw what happened to the guy that qualified us to the World Cup.
"But at the end they removed him and you see how our team did in South Africa. I just pray that doesn't happen to Heartland.
"Having reached the final last year, my expectation was that we would have to do everything possible to take the trophy this year."
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