Heartland Wary Of Mazembe’s Hostile Fans

Tosin Omojola - 07.11.2009

HEARTLAND FC of Owerri believes the CAF Champions League trophy is still within its reach inspite of a slim first leg win over TP Mazembe of Congo DR.

The Nigerian flagbearer goes into today’s decisive return leg with a lean 2-1 lead obtained in the finalists first meeting last weekend in Owerri. The Naze Warriors are optimistic that with fair officiating, the home side will be making a mistake if it dares think that scoring the single goal needed to win the trophy would be easy.

However, one area of concern for the officials of the Nigerian club is the hostile nature of Mazembe’s supporters who can go to any length in ensuring victory for their side.

Heartland officials are afraid that all the efforts of the players on the field of play could be rubbished by Mazembe fans who may result to any means at intimidating and frustrating the Nigerians on the pitch.

This notwhistanding, the players said they believe in their abilities to shock the Congolese at home insisting that they will not want a repeat of the 1988 scene when the team, then known as Iwuayanwu Nationale lost in the final of the old African Cup OF Champions.

For the winner of this Cup, a sum of 1.5 million dollars is on ground plus a ticket to hoist Africa’s flag in the World Club Competition. Heartland is also chasing the title to become the second club to do so after Enyimba which won the title back to back in 2003 and 2004.