Nigerian clubs chase African semi-finals places

Nigerian challengers Kano Pillars and Heartland can clinch African Champions League semi-finals places with home victories this weekend.

Although Nigeria have long been an African football powerhouse the country has produced only one continental champion at club level with Enyimba winning in 2003 and completing a successful defence the following year.

Pillars host Zesco United of Zambia in the northern city of Kano Sunday, a day after Heartland confront Tout Puissant Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the south-east city of Owerri.

Other penultimate-round group fixtures pit bitter Sudanese rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh against each other in Omdurman while Etoile Sahel of Tunisia host Monomotapa of Zimbabwe in a must-win clash for both teams.

Hilal and Mazembe can also secure semi-finals places with victories as the battle intensifies for a one-million-dollar first prize and an invitation to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates during December.

Known as the ‘Naze Millionaires’, Heartland boast an impressive 100 percent home record in the competition this year, averaging three goals a game when defeating visitors from Liberia, Morocco, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.

And 12 of the squad have scored during the campaign with three-goal Joshua Abaje, ThankGod Ike and Stanley Okoro leading the way as Heartland strive to improve on a runners-up finish in 1988 when known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

Severely weakened when the clubs met in the opening round two months ago, Heartland fell 2-0 at 1967 and 1968 champions Mazembe and coach Kelechi Emeteole has pleaded for vigilance ahead of the return fixture.

“A victory and a draw against Etoile Sahel has reinforced our chances of qualifying, but nothing is settled. We must be extremely vigilant to book a semi-finals place.”

While Heartland boast many marksmen, Mazembe rely largely on midfielder Dioko Kaluyituka (seven) and striker Mabi Mputu (six) for goals as they seek to become the first champions from DR Congo since Vita 36 years ago.

Kano caused biggest of many shocks this year by dumping defending champions Al-Ahly of Egypt in final qualifying round and after holding Zesco away, appear capable of securing three points at their Sani Abacha Stadium fortress.

Marginal title favourites ahead of group phase, 2007 champions Etoile have won just once in four outings and recently appointed coach Lotfi Rhim says a toothless attack that has delivered only three goals cost them dearly.

Monomotapa were 48 hours late leaving Harare after battling to find a sponsor for the flight tickets and the chances of completing a double over Etoile are slim.

Big-spending Merreikh have been the major disappointment of the mini-league phase, taking just two points from a possible 12, and only victory at Hilal can keep alive wafer-thin hopes of sneaking into the semi-finals.