Soccer analysts tip Heartland to lift Fed. Cup
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Football enthusiasts in Owerri, the Imo capital have tipped Heartland FC of Owerri to lift this year’s Federation’s Cup trophy that has pitched them against their arch rivals, Enyimba FC of Aba.
A cross-section of soccer analysts have, however, predicted a tough and high-profile encounter between the two sister clubs.``It will be a clash of the titans,’’ remarked some of them in separate interviews.
Sam Iwuji, a cleric said: ``The match is going to be a clash of the titans, given the age-long rivalry and pedigree of both clubs.
``Enyimba have always prevailed over Heartland in past editions of the tournament but in this encounter, I see a totally different ball game,’’ Iwuji said.
He explained that the pride of Heartland would be at stake but that the club could use the opportunity to re-write history, given its experience with Enyimba.
Iwuji predicted a 2-1 result in favour of Heartland.
Imo State Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), John Nwogu said: ``It is not going to be easy for either side. The more technically sound side will win’’.
According to him, Heartland FC has all it takes to carry the day.
Everest Ezihe, a renowned Owerri-based football commentator, however, expressed divergent views on the encounter, tipping instead the Enyimba of Aba, dubbed, the ``People’s Elephants’’ to win the trophy.
Ezihe said his optimism was based the present form, motivation and experience of the club and the quality of its bench.
According to him, it is not going to be an easy battle for both sides but the odds are in favour the Aba-based club.
He noted that Heartland FC was already devastated with internal wrangling and squabbles, a development, he said, could affect the fortunes of the club during the match.
Heartland’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara, however, denied any squabbles within the team, saying that the players were in high spirits and set for Sunday’s encounter.
Nkwopara urged supporters of the club in Owerri, Lagos and other parts of the country to rally support for the team, assuring them of Heartland’s preparedness to lift the trophy this time around.
``This is what we owe our teeming supporters. They should come out in their numbers to support us in Lagos on Sunday,’’ he said. (NAN)
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Soccer analysts tip Heartland to lift Fed. Cup
Category: Sports Written by - Hits: 384
Football enthusiasts in Owerri, the Imo capital have tipped Heartland FC of Owerri to lift this year’s Federation’s Cup trophy that has pitched them against their arch rivals, Enyimba FC of Aba.
A cross-section of soccer analysts have, however, predicted a tough and high-profile encounter between the two sister clubs.``It will be a clash of the titans,’’ remarked some of them in separate interviews.
Sam Iwuji, a cleric said: ``The match is going to be a clash of the titans, given the age-long rivalry and pedigree of both clubs.
``Enyimba have always prevailed over Heartland in past editions of the tournament but in this encounter, I see a totally different ball game,’’ Iwuji said.
He explained that the pride of Heartland would be at stake but that the club could use the opportunity to re-write history, given its experience with Enyimba.
Iwuji predicted a 2-1 result in favour of Heartland.
Imo State Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), John Nwogu said: ``It is not going to be easy for either side. The more technically sound side will win’’.
According to him, Heartland FC has all it takes to carry the day.
Everest Ezihe, a renowned Owerri-based football commentator, however, expressed divergent views on the encounter, tipping instead the Enyimba of Aba, dubbed, the ``People’s Elephants’’ to win the trophy.
Ezihe said his optimism was based the present form, motivation and experience of the club and the quality of its bench.
According to him, it is not going to be an easy battle for both sides but the odds are in favour the Aba-based club.
He noted that Heartland FC was already devastated with internal wrangling and squabbles, a development, he said, could affect the fortunes of the club during the match.
Heartland’s Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara, however, denied any squabbles within the team, saying that the players were in high spirits and set for Sunday’s encounter.
Nkwopara urged supporters of the club in Owerri, Lagos and other parts of the country to rally support for the team, assuring them of Heartland’s preparedness to lift the trophy this time around.
``This is what we owe our teeming supporters. They should come out in their numbers to support us in Lagos on Sunday,’’ he said. (NAN)