Pillars, Heartland upbeat ahead of new season

KANO Pillars Coach, Okey Emordi, is excited that his team will kick off the journey to retain their Glo Premier League trophy against one of the teams he had handled in his distinguished career, Heartland of Owerri. Pillars will battle Heartland in the star match of Week One on March 8 and to Emordi, there is no better way to begin the season than with such a tough game.

   To the former Enyimba of Aba coach, the game would show Nigerians Kano Pillars’ level of preparedness for their three-pronged attack on the league, CAF Champions League and the Federation Cup. And he says the game is winnable. 

  Pillars and Heartland are rivals of sorts, with games involving both teams always engaging the imagination of Nigerian football fans.   Since Heartland defeated Pillars home and away in the 2009 CAF Champions League semifinal, the Owerri team have not found it easy in games against the defending champions.

  Looking ahead to the season opener, Emordi told reporters after the league draws in Abuja on Wednesday: “It’s a good match for us to start the season. At some point in the season we will meet the big teams and it’s good starting with one.  

  “We are prepared for the new league season and we will take every game as they come,” he said.

   While Emordi is looking forward to a good show in Owerri, Heartland’s new goalkeeper, David Obiozor, wants the former Home-based Eagles’ coach to forget the three points on offer at the game. 

  Unlike Pillars, who rode above every other team to the league glory last season, Heartland had a torrid campaign, punctuated by strikes over unpaid dues and threats by the team’s management. Now, the team looks rejuvenated following the intervention of the Imo State government, but they have lost Coach Kelechi Emeteole to Enugu Rangers. Yes, there is a new flavor flowing in the Naze Millionares’ camp and Obiozor cannot wait for the season to kick off.

 “Of course, my dearest wish is to maintain a clean slate in the first match of the season against arch-rivals, Kano Pillars.

  “Incidentally, that will be my first game for Heartland so in addition to the personal wish to keep a clean sheet I’ll want to announce my arrival with a resounding win.

  “Heartland have often started their campaign on a shaky note but this time around we want to hit the ground running immediately.

  “So the Kano Pillars test is a welcomed development starting the season against strong opponents.

 “I’m excited with the fixture as I look forward to match day to show off the skill that made me attractive to the Owerri-based side.

  “I’ve good understanding of Pillars as then with El Kanemi Warriors I played on same pitch with them in the immediate past season.

  “Heartland have lofty dreams for the upcoming season so it pays us to start the campaign on tough footing.”