Heartland, Pillars set for CAF Champions showdown

One thing is certain ahead of today’s CAF Champions League semi-finals between the two club sides: there will be a Nigerian side in the final of this year’s competition. For only third time in some 40 years of competition, two clubs from the same country clash at this vital juncture to seek a place in […]

One thing is certain ahead of today’s CAF Champions League semi-finals between the two club sides: there will be a Nigerian side in the final of this year’s competition.

For only third time in some 40 years of competition, two clubs from the same country clash at this vital juncture to seek a place in the final and, ultimately, the chance of claiming a spot at December’s FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The progress of the two teams comes a major fillip for the giant West African nations, whose ambitions in other forums have been stymied of late.

Heartland is sweating on the fitness of Signs Chibambo, who is nursing a thigh injury. The Zambian striker suffered the injury during his club’s 2-1 Group B loss at Zimbabwe’s Monomotapa last month. “He has resumed training, but we will just have to wait and see whether he will be fully fit for the match,” said Heartland team manager Emeka Iwuagwu.

“We go there without any fears and the intention of pulling off a good result. We won’t miss out on the chance to set ourselves up comfortably for the second leg”.

Al Hilal of Sudan, who reached this stage of the competition two years ago, will hope to seize this second opportunity when they take on TP Mazembe Englebert of Congo DR. The first leg is in Khartoumn today.