HEARTLAND BOSS: WE RESPECT ENYIMBA
Posted: Sep 06, 2011
Heartland of Owerri Chief Executive Officer, Chief Fan Ndubuoke, has predicted that this year's Federation Cup final between his side and Easter neighbours, Enyimba, will go down in history as the best cup final in recent times.
Enyimba defeated Ocean Boys 5-4 on Sunday after penalty kicks to set up a date with Heartland in the final of the nation's most glamorous cup competition.
Ndubuoke who took over the reins of the club a few months ago insists the final slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will be a good advertisement for Nigerian football.
"It will be a final between two great teams; teams with tradition and pedigree," Ndubuoke said.
Ndubuoke acknowledged the qualities of the People's Elephant and paid tribute to their potential.
"We have a lot of respect for them because of their achievements both in Nigeria and Africa.They have won the CAF Champions League twice and the League and Federation Cup several times.
"They too should have respect for us because we got to this level when nobody gave us any chance. You can also recall that Enyimba is a product of Heartland if you remember the fact that they came into existence from the same Spartans Football Club that metamorphosed into today's Heartland Football Club."
Enyimba defeated Ocean Boys 5-4 on Sunday after penalty kicks to set up a date with Heartland in the final of the nation's most glamorous cup competition.
Ndubuoke who took over the reins of the club a few months ago insists the final slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will be a good advertisement for Nigerian football.
"It will be a final between two great teams; teams with tradition and pedigree," Ndubuoke said.
Ndubuoke acknowledged the qualities of the People's Elephant and paid tribute to their potential.
"We have a lot of respect for them because of their achievements both in Nigeria and Africa.They have won the CAF Champions League twice and the League and Federation Cup several times.
"They too should have respect for us because we got to this level when nobody gave us any chance. You can also recall that Enyimba is a product of Heartland if you remember the fact that they came into existence from the same Spartans Football Club that metamorphosed into today's Heartland Football Club."
LOBI TALK TOUGH AHEAD SUNSHINE CLASH
Posted: Aug 31, 2011
Lobi Stars of Makurdi have boasted to deflate Sunshine Stars of Akure Premier League title ambition during today's rescheduled match at Tafawa Balewa Stadium,bauchi.
Captain of the side,Zango Umar reflected on the importance of the game saying victory today will put them in a strong stead for a piece of continental football next season.
"It will really be a tough game but we want the three maximum points as a stepping stone for our return to the African continent next year",Umar snapped.
"We are back in the real groove;we are still optimistic of making it to the continent if beat Sunshine Stars.The 1-1 draw we recorded in Yenagoa against Ocean Boys in another rescheduled match has boosted our confidence that we can do it".
Lobi Stars are currently 9th on the log with 50 points while Sunshine Stars are second with 63 points,just one point behind leaders,Dolphins.
A win for Lobi Stars will move them to 7th position with 53 points with four games remaining on the regular fixtures.
Captain of the side,Zango Umar reflected on the importance of the game saying victory today will put them in a strong stead for a piece of continental football next season.
"It will really be a tough game but we want the three maximum points as a stepping stone for our return to the African continent next year",Umar snapped.
"We are back in the real groove;we are still optimistic of making it to the continent if beat Sunshine Stars.The 1-1 draw we recorded in Yenagoa against Ocean Boys in another rescheduled match has boosted our confidence that we can do it".
Lobi Stars are currently 9th on the log with 50 points while Sunshine Stars are second with 63 points,just one point behind leaders,Dolphins.
A win for Lobi Stars will move them to 7th position with 53 points with four games remaining on the regular fixtures.
SUNSHINE TOPPLE DOLPHINS AFTER LOBI DRAW
Posted: Sep 05, 2011
Sunshine Stars of Akure have moved to the top of the Nigeria Premier League table after a 1-1 away draw to Lobi Stars in a rescheduled match decided Thursday inside the Tafawa Balewa Stadium,Bauchi.
It was a week 34 fixture rescheduled following Sunshine Stars involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup group matches.
The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute when Moses Bunde converted a penalty for Lobi Stars.The resilient visitors replied just two minutes later with leading scorer Ajani Ibrahim drawing his side level on the stroke of 40th minute.
Sunshine Stars are now on level terms with Dolphins on 64 points but the Akure side are top on the table with superior goals advantage with only four games still remaining on the regular fixtures.
It was a week 34 fixture rescheduled following Sunshine Stars involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup group matches.
The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute when Moses Bunde converted a penalty for Lobi Stars.The resilient visitors replied just two minutes later with leading scorer Ajani Ibrahim drawing his side level on the stroke of 40th minute.
Sunshine Stars are now on level terms with Dolphins on 64 points but the Akure side are top on the table with superior goals advantage with only four games still remaining on the regular fixtures.
THOMAS VOWS TO STOP ENYIMBA
Posted: Sep 04, 2011
Ocean Boys goalkeeper, Femi Thomas has vowed to maintain a clean slate against Premier League teammates, Enyimba today’s Federation Cup second semi-final duel at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin City.
The winner of the tie will meet Heartland in the grand finale slated for the Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos.
The nation’s Under-23 second choice goal tender, told SuperSport.com that the pressure would be more on the reigning domestic league champions than themselves.
“Definitely, we are clearly the underdogs in this match, and that suits us very well. Enyimba have lots of reputations and would want to keep it intact. That will take the pressure off us; it will allow us to play our normal game.
The winner of the tie will meet Heartland in the grand finale slated for the Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos.
The nation’s Under-23 second choice goal tender, told SuperSport.com that the pressure would be more on the reigning domestic league champions than themselves.
“Definitely, we are clearly the underdogs in this match, and that suits us very well. Enyimba have lots of reputations and would want to keep it intact. That will take the pressure off us; it will allow us to play our normal game.
ENYIMBA, OCEAN BOYS LIGHT UP BENIN CITY
Posted: Sep 04, 2011
Clash In Federation Cup Semi-Final Tie
Enyimba and Ocean Boys clash today in the second semi-final of the Federation Cup with both teams seeking the ticket to play Heartland in the final .
Build up to the game marred by a warning strike by the Ocean Boys players with the team handler, Samson Unamuel deeply concerned by the unfortunate incident.
The players promptly refused to train with Unamuel and instead trained on their own, which according to the coach could adversely affect their fitness level for the game.
On the other hand, Enyimba are brimming with confidence on the back of the goalless draw away to Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League last weekend.
The Aba Elephants are unbeaten in the money spinning competition after four matches and it will be a surprise for them if they fail to get past the Brass based side.
Enyimba defeated Kwara United 2-0 in the quarter-final and they will hope for better luck this time around, after losing on penalties to Kaduna United in the final last season.
Ocean Boys won the Federation Cup when it was known as the FA Cup in 2008, beating Gombe United 7-6 on penalties after open play of 120 minutes ended 2-2.
Meanwhile the Edo State Football Association, host of today’s game said it had put everything in place to ensure a hitch free clash between two of the best teams in the Nigeria Premier League.
Enyimba and Ocean Boys clash today in the second semi-final of the Federation Cup with both teams seeking the ticket to play Heartland in the final .
Build up to the game marred by a warning strike by the Ocean Boys players with the team handler, Samson Unamuel deeply concerned by the unfortunate incident.
The players promptly refused to train with Unamuel and instead trained on their own, which according to the coach could adversely affect their fitness level for the game.
On the other hand, Enyimba are brimming with confidence on the back of the goalless draw away to Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League last weekend.
The Aba Elephants are unbeaten in the money spinning competition after four matches and it will be a surprise for them if they fail to get past the Brass based side.
Enyimba defeated Kwara United 2-0 in the quarter-final and they will hope for better luck this time around, after losing on penalties to Kaduna United in the final last season.
Ocean Boys won the Federation Cup when it was known as the FA Cup in 2008, beating Gombe United 7-6 on penalties after open play of 120 minutes ended 2-2.
Meanwhile the Edo State Football Association, host of today’s game said it had put everything in place to ensure a hitch free clash between two of the best teams in the Nigeria Premier League.
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