By KATE OBODO
After leading Heartland to win the 2011 Federation Cup last week, the club’s Technical Adviser, Lodewijk De Kruif, who hails from Holland, tells Saturday Vanguard Sports of his aspirations for the team, which he led to victory in the Federation Cup final. He also reveals his fond admiration for the women  in Owerri.

Congratulations on your Federation Cup win. So how how does it feel being the champions?

I feel very good, because  it was a big trial for  us. Like I told people  before now, we had to pass through this trial to show the stuff that we are made of. When I came to the club between January to  February, we were in  bad shape, we had to reform a little bit, bring in some new things into  the group.

I said, from the beginning that it was too important for us to do well in the Federation Cup. Then we took all the matches very seriously and it brought us to the finals. And now we have won the cup. So I am very happy for the team, because it was the players who did the job. Same goes for the technical crew, the management and our fantastic fans.

Lodewijk DeKruif lifted by Heartland football club players after their FA cup win

What is your assessment of the final match against Enyimba?

It was a very difficult match because our opponents came out when we were a goal ahead. But everybody can see that we were two times better than Enyimba in that match. I think we won the match because we played better than the Aba boys.

Is this the first  remarkable Cup win you have recorded?

I have had other wins with youth teams in  my country but this is the major trophy that I have won so far in my coaching career. It is even more special because it is the first time Heartland are winning something after 23 years without winning any trophy.. Indeed, It is really great and also a new beginning for the people of Imo State and the  Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Who do you dedicate this victory to?

I dedicate this victory to the team and the people of Imo, for their unflinching support throughout the campaign. I also dedicate it to the players, because they were the ones who  made it possible  and  I am very proud of them because they have done very well in earning this great victory. We won the match despite the fact that people regarded us as the underdogs. I am happy and satisfied with the performance of my players.

What makes Heartland tick?

Heartland is tick, because of the quality of players we have in the  team. Although we are not perfect, we still need to be properly nurtured

What plans do you have for Heartland?

Now that we have won the Fed Cup, I think that he future is now brighter for the team. My focus will be  how to improve the fortunes of the team. We must re-organize the team and bring in some players and allow some  to go. This can be achieved by scouting for players, getting them, knowing their skills in the game, evaluating their psychological well-being and integrating them into our plan.

How has your stay in Owerri been?

It has been wonderful, being in Nigeria. Owerri is a good place to be. The people there are good and accommodating and I have been able to learn one or two things so far. Talking about their foods, I like ‘eba’,apu’ I also like their culture.  So it is nice being here.

What do you like most about Nigeria; her men, women and society at large?

Like I said earlier, Nigeria is indeed great with rich pool of  talents and wonderful people  particularly the people of  Owerri; I like  her men and women. But I like the  women  in Owerri  more because they are hard working, supportive and industrious in the polity of the state. They are special people to be with..

What is your assessment of the  average Nigerian player?

One thing that you can not take away from the average Nigerian player is that he is talented but the problem is the opportunity to identify and get these talents. There are whole lots of players in these country who can play very  and make the country proud.

What needs improvement in the league

The Nigerian league,  is still growing and needs to be improved like other leagues outside the country, especially in the aspect of its programme . For instance, the issue of not knowing the exact terminal date for the league is not good for the development of the game.

Normally, the league runs from August to May in Europe but here, there is no fixed date., which is  not good for the game. The aspect of  officiating needs to be looked into if the league must improve. Coaches should also be technically sound. Lastly the remuneration of players welfare should also be considered.