Enyimba, Heartland Rumble In Aba, As Lobi hosts 3SC
By Christian Okpara
CAF Champions League beaten finalists, Heartland of Owerri will take its impressive outing at the just-concluded African elite club championship to Aba, where 2005 winners of the Globacom Premier League, Enyimba, lie in wait.
It is the first game between both Eastern rivals this season, and as is usual with clashes between the two, this game promises a lot of thrills and talking points.
Both teams are in the hunt for this season's title, but Enyimba believes this is its best chance to win the competition and return to the Champions League, a competition it won back to back in 2003 and 2004.
The 'Peoples Elephant,' as Enyimba is known, has been on a fine run this term under the tutelage of returning Coach Okey Emordi, who left the club after leading the team to victory in the CAF Champions League in 2004.
Enyimba has not lost any game this season, but to Heartland's Uche Agba, that would change today.
Agba was Heartland's top scorer in the Champions League, with his seven goals accounting for the 'Naze Millionaires' run up to the final of the competition.
He is expected to line up alongside returning John Owoeri, who missed the last two months due to suspension by CAF.
Agba told The Guardian on Wednesday that "our game against Enyimba will mark our entrance into the 2009/2010 title race."
According to the former Lobi Stars midfielder, "having won second position behind different clubs in the last two seasons, we are determined to win this title this season.
"We are playing in Aba and fans may see the game as a difficult one for us. But we are no respecter of venues. We have beaten Enyimba several times in Aba, and I believe that a good team will always find its level no matter where the game is played. I promise our fans that we will be very competitive in the game," he said.
Other matches slated for today are in Kaduna, where Kaduna United will host Kwara United, and Oleh, where Warri Wolves are at home to Bayelsa United, just as Sunshine will tackle Zamfara United in Akure.
Meanwhile Dolphins yesterday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, defeated Gombe United 1-0 with Captain Ejindu getting the winning goal in the fourth minute.
In other matches played yesterday, Gateway beat Niger Tornadoes 1-0, the same result that Ocean Boys recorded against Enugu Rangers.
Kano Pillars defeated Ranch Bees 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, while Sharks of Port Harcourt held Wikki Tourists to a 1-1 draw in Bauchi.
