[size=13pt]Federation Cup final: Enyimba, Heartland in Oriental classic[/size]

By John Egbokhan

The Teslim Balogun Stadium will be literally rocked to its foundation today when Enyimba confront Heartland in the final of the Federation Cup.

Dubbed the ‘Ultimate Oriental Battle’ by football fans, today’s high-profile match, which is billed to start at 4pm, sees two rival teams from the eastern part of Nigeria, coming against each other, to determine who become the champions of the oldest soccer competition in the country.

In its 66th edition this year, the competition, which has changed from the All Nigeria Governor’s Cup to the Challenge Cup, then to the Coca Cola FA Cup and now to the Federation Cup, might have lost some of its rich value over the years, still ranks as one of the most sought after trophies in the football calendar season.

Interestingly, one of today’s finalists, Enyimba have emerged as the most successful club since the competition was renamed Federation Cup in 2009 and would be hoping to win it again this year.

Their coach, Okey Emordi, who was in charge when they won their first Cup title in 2005, said last night that they were good for the title but added that they were going to face a stern test from their eternal rivals from the Owerri, Heartland.

“We are good for the Cup but it is going to come at a cost because we are facing a team who do not like losing to us. They are our brothers but also our rivals and in such a situation, you find out that things are bound to be very tough”, said Emordi.

Emordi, in his quest for victory, will hope his strikers, find their ranges in today’s explosive finale. He will be counting on the likes of David Tyavkase, who is their most experienced and most decorated player, Junior Osagie, another essential forward, in the star-littered Enyimba team and Uche Kalu, who has become one of the most influential players in the Aba-based side.

For Heartland, the chance to play in the final of the Fed Cup, has presented them another opportunity to  seal a place to play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup. This fact is not lost on their Dutch Coach,  Lodewijk de Kruif, who however said that he was not under pressure going into today’s classic final against Enyimba.

“Of course, we came here to collect the cup otherwise it is no use coming over here. It is one game; it is a long road coming here. We did well in those roads, I tell you the beginning was difficult but after several games, the Federation Cup was becoming more important for us than anything else in the world because in the league it was a bit disappointing.

“When I came in the team was 13th on the log but we are 10th on the table now, so in the very early stage we already knew it was not possible for us to collect a continental ticket in the league. So we have to focus on the Federation Cup.

“I am not under any pressure; the pressure is playing good football. When we play good football we have a big chance to win the cup. There is no pressure for me, the only thing we do is to focus on the game, focus on the players and prepare them as well as we can for Sunday’s match”, added Coach de Kruif.

The likes of Super Eagles’ Chibuzor Okonkwo, Bassey Akpam, Daniel Akpeyi, Chinedu Efugh, Obinna Nwachukwu , Chibuzor Ozurumba and Batholomew Ibenegbu are the players who Coach Kruif will be banking on to win today’s match.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/09/federation-cup-final-enyimba-heartland-in-oriental-classic/

As always, I expect my darling team,enyimba to crush the heartland boys.
We have one of the most ruthless team on the continent!
Nzogbu,Nzogbu, Enyimba, Enyi !!

The Spartans should take this one. I want Enyimba to be fired up for CAF CL.

Both sides are good but the victory is meant for the best among them.
I will give the victory because I like their playing pattern.
Would have love to be at TB stadium to watch it live.

Na wa ooo. Niaralanders! A thread about d gr8est cup final in Nigeria, n yet its dis deserted. If it were man u/ chelsea or madrid/barca, the comments n pages wud v been smtinelse.
Lets support our own jor.
My team Enyimba to carry d day. Hw i wish it was kano pillars!

@funkymallam,u culdnt have said it better.its a shame ! The truth is that our league is actually getting better.eventhough I am not in nigeria,but I still follows it religiously on supersports.
People need to be sensitized on what is actually going because the organization,security,officiating,sponsorship and other areas of the league are getting better.
People need to start going to the stadium to see these boys play,and in doing we subconciously input financially to the growth of our league.we need to add color and excitement to our league. If the boys start seeing a full stadium come watch them week in,week out,that will greatly improve their motivation to play a better football.

Éyimba 3

Heartland 0

I am a die hard Chelsea Fan, on the National level I support my home side Heartland FC and I want them to win today.
On the continental stage i support Enyimba or any other Nigerian club,

When in Nigeria these days I dont go to the stadium anymore bc of this Boko Haram Bulllshitt, I know it has not happened yet but i suspect these crazy Hausa Muslims will start attacking any crowded area sooner than later. The earlier they share this country the better for all of us. Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock with each passing day. I have defended this country for too long. I am tired of having to defend Nigeria everywhere i go, from Ghana to Europe and the rest. Everyday Obi is a boy, WHEN WILL OBI EVER GONNA FINALLY BE A MAN

Pls we need someone @ d stadium to give us live updates.
How I wish, am in lagos, wud v been dia live. Peeps its just btw N300 n N500 for tickets, do justice to 9ja for once.
@Nri priest. I wonder for our ppl, too much tok n no action, they will b d first to criticize but cant render help in any lil way

up enyimba!!!

Hot Match!!

what are the scores?

Scores anyone?Na wao

*waves at UsuRome*

goal up heartland

Please what is the score ooo.

any links

You can follow the live commentary from this site . . .it is better than nothing.


http://www.obuksmedia.com/html/news.php?nid=330

heartland has taken d lead. 1-0 it is

Match on AIT live but WARNING: Turn down the audio commentary, PATHETIC is the word to describe it!

heartland 1 enyimba O HT scores

second half underway

enyimba really pushing hard to equalize

Eyimba in a haste 2 respond but heartland not ready to give up the lead. 2 sub 4 eyimba.

pls Baba GOD  give heartland this day, but compensate enyimba with caf champions league, they are our brothers.

and heartland are federation cup winners

one nil it ended

waooo:

and heartland are federation cup winners

Nice one heartland.

you have done it for us, Baba GOD thank you sir , up heartland

they truly deserved it, they were more determines

why ? why? why?

If Chelsea and Man U were playing, everyone and their grandpa would be commenting, but now that our own home-based team is playing, people are nowhere to be found.

And where were u while the game was going on?And where were u while the game was going on?