Heartland Vs Rivers United Preview: In-form Naze Millionaires go for Pride of Rivers’ jugular

This Sunday the excitement of the Nigeria Premier Football League returns with a crunchy tie a feisty fixture between Heartland FC of Owerri and Rivers United .
The Naze Millionaires are unbeaten in the last three games dated back to December 29th last year when they held Lobi Stars to a goalless draw in Lafia.

The Owerri side have continued from where they stopped since then beating Lobi Stars at home in the reverse fixture of the last game of the first stanza and getting a point of Enyimba that should have been a massacre of the People’s Elephants in Aba.

Rivers United who began the season impressively have now gone four games without a win coming into this weekend’s fixture. Though they are third on the log with 35 points from 21 games their erratic form could see them stutter even further at the end of the game with Heartland who are desperate for the points.

Heartland FC will go all out to secure the maximum points on Sunday to reward their fans for their vociferous support all season.

Suraju Lawal and Tobi Iyanda who were unavailable for the Oriental derby are in contention for Sunday’s game
Elvis Ori who went under the knife for fracturing his cheekbone is on the way to recovery alongside Michael Ogu who have started training again. But there is doubt over the fitness of Daniel Ekpo who was substituted against Enyimba in the second half.

Tactics

It promises to be an interesting tactical battle between Emmanuel Amuneke MFR and Finidi George both members of the class of 94 and it promises to be a pulsating game taking into cognizance the quality of personal and the tactical nous of both Managers.

Heartland FC still in formative stage lost the game 3-1 in Port Harcourt at the beginning of the season but a lot has taken place in the team and now with a mature squad, Rivers United would find it difficult to fight for a shared spoils.

Heartland Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke told the club’s media that the Naze Millionaires would respect Rivers United as a formidable side but that his boys would get the job done as soon as the game kick off.

He expressed his delight at the display of the team in Aba against Enyimba but warned that they must strive to step up against Rivers United and try to also convert the chances that come their way.

The former CAF Player of the Year also enjoined Owerri fans to troop to the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday to offer their support to the club.