THE D-DAY - Heartland seek glory in Lubumbashi
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Stories by David Ngobua
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Today inside the municipal Stadium in the Copper-minning city of Lubumbashi, in the Haut-Katanga Prtovince of DR Congo, Nigeria’s representative in this year’s CAF Champions League Heartland FC face the battle of their lives as they take on two time winners of the lucrative competition, TP Mazembe in the return leg of the 2009 CAF Champions League finals.
It will be an understatement to say that the Nigerian side is walking a tight rope following its slim 2-1 victory over their host in the first leg played inside the Dan Anyiam Stadium, South -East Nigeria. Considering the pedigree of their opponents, the feeling in some quarters that it will not be an uphill task for the former African Champions to upturn the table against their guests today is not unfounded.
Consequently, if they are to become the second Nigerian club side to win the prestigious CAF Champions League after Enyimba FC, Heartland must do everything possible to avoid defeat. The task is really daunting but going by what the Nigerian side has been able to achieve so far, TP Mazembe must not take things for granted.
Despite the toughness of their opponents,Heartland can rely on history to spring a surprise today. Who says the Naze Millionaires can not beat TP Mazembe home and away? A similar situation has repeated itself seven times in the past. In 1972 Hafia of Conakry won its two matches against Simba FC of Uganda. CARA of Brazzaville in 1974 also recorded a double victory against Egyptian side Mehalla. Hafia of Conakry, again in 1975 were two time victors over Enugu Rangers but in 1977 the Guineans found themselves in the position of double loosers as they were humbled twice by Hearts of Oak of Accra. In 1981 Jeunesse Electronique of Tizi-Ouzou (today Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie) also won twice against Vita Club of Kinshasa. Three years later Zamalek also defeated Shooting Stars of Ibadan twice. And in 2000, Espérance of Tunis lost twice to Hearts of Oak Accra in the finals.
Having come this far, Heartland will like to prove book makers wrong. It is on record that most matches like today’s finals went the ways of the host clubs but this should not be enough to sap the confidence of the team which survived so many highly rated opponents on its way to reaching the finals.
The Coach of Heartland, Kelechi Emetole is not perturbed even as his team is obviously going to face a daunting task in the hands of TP Mazembe. He is still upbeat that his players will not falter today. According to him, the pressure will certainly be on the home side who must win to end a 41-year drought in the Premier Club competition.
“The heavy down pour slowed us down but we were still able to nick the win. In the return leg, we hope it does not rain and more importantly the home team will be under pressure and we’ll have the opportunity to easily score the goals we need to win the cup.”
“We have been in the situation before and wriggle out. I agree that we have our backs to the wall but that is when you see the best of Heartland and that we’ll surely show in Congo,” assured Emetole considered one of the most respected coaches in Nigeria and assistant to Tunde Disu when the Eaglets lost to Portugal in the final FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 in Saudi Arabia.
Although not starved of confidence, Emetole and his players must not lose track of the fact that TP Mazembe will stop at nothing to beat them today. It is on record that till this stage, Mazembe have yet to loose a game at their backyard and with the trophy on display, Diego Garzitto and his charges can’t afford a slip at this crucial moment amidst huge investment made by Club President Moise Katumbi, who doubles as Governor of the copper-rich Katanga Province.
In Tresor Mputu Mabi and Kaluyitikua Dioko, Mazembe have the most potent striking pair in the competition, with 15 goals between them and backed by their local fans, Heartland should be in for the match of their lives.
But if Heartland’s Emeka Nwana, double winner of the CAF Champions Cup with Enyimba FC of Aba, Uche Agba, John Owoeri, King Osanga and the foreign imports, Signs Chibambo, Aziz Ansah and Owusu Addae step up their game, it may be practically hard for TP Mazembe to make a mice meat of the Nigerian representatives.
The winner of the Orange CAF Champions League will pocket $1.5million and a ticket to represent Africa at the FIFA World Club Championship, slated for the United Arab Emirates in December.
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THE D-DAY - Heartland seek glory in Lubumbashi
Category: Sports Written by Stories by David Ngobua Hits: 583
Today inside the municipal Stadium in the Copper-minning city of Lubumbashi, in the Haut-Katanga Prtovince of DR Congo, Nigeria’s representative in this year’s CAF Champions League Heartland FC face the battle of their lives as they take on two time winners of the lucrative competition, TP Mazembe in the return leg of the 2009 CAF Champions League finals.
It will be an understatement to say that the Nigerian side is walking a tight rope following its slim 2-1 victory over their host in the first leg played inside the Dan Anyiam Stadium, South -East Nigeria. Considering the pedigree of their opponents, the feeling in some quarters that it will not be an uphill task for the former African Champions to upturn the table against their guests today is not unfounded.
Consequently, if they are to become the second Nigerian club side to win the prestigious CAF Champions League after Enyimba FC, Heartland must do everything possible to avoid defeat. The task is really daunting but going by what the Nigerian side has been able to achieve so far, TP Mazembe must not take things for granted.
Despite the toughness of their opponents,Heartland can rely on history to spring a surprise today. Who says the Naze Millionaires can not beat TP Mazembe home and away? A similar situation has repeated itself seven times in the past. In 1972 Hafia of Conakry won its two matches against Simba FC of Uganda. CARA of Brazzaville in 1974 also recorded a double victory against Egyptian side Mehalla. Hafia of Conakry, again in 1975 were two time victors over Enugu Rangers but in 1977 the Guineans found themselves in the position of double loosers as they were humbled twice by Hearts of Oak of Accra. In 1981 Jeunesse Electronique of Tizi-Ouzou (today Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie) also won twice against Vita Club of Kinshasa. Three years later Zamalek also defeated Shooting Stars of Ibadan twice. And in 2000, Espérance of Tunis lost twice to Hearts of Oak Accra in the finals.
Having come this far, Heartland will like to prove book makers wrong. It is on record that most matches like today’s finals went the ways of the host clubs but this should not be enough to sap the confidence of the team which survived so many highly rated opponents on its way to reaching the finals.
The Coach of Heartland, Kelechi Emetole is not perturbed even as his team is obviously going to face a daunting task in the hands of TP Mazembe. He is still upbeat that his players will not falter today. According to him, the pressure will certainly be on the home side who must win to end a 41-year drought in the Premier Club competition.
“The heavy down pour slowed us down but we were still able to nick the win. In the return leg, we hope it does not rain and more importantly the home team will be under pressure and we’ll have the opportunity to easily score the goals we need to win the cup.”
“We have been in the situation before and wriggle out. I agree that we have our backs to the wall but that is when you see the best of Heartland and that we’ll surely show in Congo,” assured Emetole considered one of the most respected coaches in Nigeria and assistant to Tunde Disu when the Eaglets lost to Portugal in the final FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 in Saudi Arabia.
Although not starved of confidence, Emetole and his players must not lose track of the fact that TP Mazembe will stop at nothing to beat them today. It is on record that till this stage, Mazembe have yet to loose a game at their backyard and with the trophy on display, Diego Garzitto and his charges can’t afford a slip at this crucial moment amidst huge investment made by Club President Moise Katumbi, who doubles as Governor of the copper-rich Katanga Province.
In Tresor Mputu Mabi and Kaluyitikua Dioko, Mazembe have the most potent striking pair in the competition, with 15 goals between them and backed by their local fans, Heartland should be in for the match of their lives.
But if Heartland’s Emeka Nwana, double winner of the CAF Champions Cup with Enyimba FC of Aba, Uche Agba, John Owoeri, King Osanga and the foreign imports, Signs Chibambo, Aziz Ansah and Owusu Addae step up their game, it may be practically hard for TP Mazembe to make a mice meat of the Nigerian representatives.
The winner of the Orange CAF Champions League will pocket $1.5million and a ticket to represent Africa at the FIFA World Club Championship, slated for the United Arab Emirates in December.