Wolves, Heartland hunt in Leopards’ den as Sunshine welcomes Djoliba FC

While the Naze millionaires as Heartland FC of Owerri are fondly called and the Wolves from Warri City slug it out with their opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup away from home, the Nigerian club left in the CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars will play host to Djoliba of Mali at the Ijebu-Ode Township stadium. […]

While the Naze millionaires as Heartland FC of Owerri are fondly called and the Wolves from Warri City slug it out with their opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup away from home, the Nigerian club left in the CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars will play host to Djoliba of Mali at the Ijebu-Ode Township stadium.

Of the three Nigerian clubs that will be on duty this afternoon, Sunshine Stars appear most likely to have an easy ride to the group stage of the Champions League, if the result of the first match played two weeks ago is anything to go by.

Sunshine went to Djoliba and pulled a 1-1 draw, a result which was not properly celebrated because of the unpleasant experience which part of the Nigerian delegation had in the hands of the military junta which had annexed power in that country.

With the 1-1 draw, Sunshine Stars look good to progress but the club has promised not to take anything for granted. Coach Gbenga Ogunbote is not oblivious of the strength of the visiting Djoliba FC. He said: “Preparations are in top gear. The boys are aware of the task ahead and they have been doing well in training. The Malians are a solid side so we are not getting carried away by the result from the first leg. We will approach this match with all seriousness and focus needed to achieve victory.

In a chat with Feverpitch ahead of today’s match, Sunshine Stars first choice goalkeeper, Moses Ocheje said: “We are not going to settle for anything less than victory against Djoliba. Going by the result in the first leg, we are going to face a more determined side but victory is ours.

“We want our fans to stand behind us so that we can win. Victory today is going to qualify us for the group stage which is where the real action lies. The morale in camp is high because we want to remain in the competition”.

Sunshine may exude such degree of confidence but the same cannot be said about the poverty stricken Naze millionaires who only managed to fly out yesterday on the eve of their match against AC Leopards of Congo.

Apart from its financial crisis which the management is not ready to confess, Heartland did not do very well in their first leg meeting with the Congolese. Although they managed to win 3-2, the victory is certainly too cold for comfort because away goal rule may easily work in favour of their opponents today.

However Super Eagles’ and goalkeeper of the side, Daniel Akpeyi is upbeat ahead of the clash as he said the millionaires will return to Nigeria victoriously.

“We’re 95% ready for this match. AC Leopards are good but they are not better than us and we want to make sure that we do not make those mistakes which gave them two goals last time” he assured.

Another Nigerian side going into the Leopards den is Warri Wolves whose chances of progressing in the competition are also bright courtesy of their impressive 3-1 thriller in the first leg.

For the Nigerian side the news emanating from the camp of their opponents is a big boost. The South African club apart from its battle to escape relegation is faced with crisis in its technical department. Few days ago, head coach Vladislav Heric resigned, making way for technical director Sunday Chidzambwa to take charge.

Wolves have since settled down in the city of Polokwane the new match venue and are waiting eagerly to devour the Leopards.

Led by Belgian Coach, Maurice Cooreman, Wolves will certainly try to absorb the pressure to be mounted on them by the Leopard knowing full well that any form of draw would keep them in the competition.