Dolphins FC, Heartland Trade Tackles, Today

It will be a clash of the titans this evening at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt as Nigeria Premier League defending champions, Dolphins FC engaged visiting Federation Cup champions, Heartland FC of Owerri in a potentially pulsating league encounter.

At stake is the week 14 three points of the 2012 league season, the usual pride and bragging rights that are  always on the fore when the two sides clash at any level of the game.

The clash will certainly provide an interesting spectacle for  football fans as the two heavyweights seek to build on their fortunes so far in the season.

For homers, Dolphins, whose coach Stanley Eguma has tinkered Heartland previously, it is an opportunity to continue the club’s resurgence on the league table after some indifferent performance earlier in the season.

They seem to be  on a good run currently after flying into the next round of the CAF Champions League and going on three match unbeaten run, culminating in another away point courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Warri Wolves in their last match.

With the form of new striker, Ifeanyi Egwim, Osuchukwu, Emman Nwachi and a resilient defence, Dolphins are poised to celebrate another home victory.

However, games between the  two clubs are always treated like a derby. The rivalry usually spills from the pitch to the terraces where fans often try hard to motivate their side to victory.

For Heartland, today’s game is crucial. After their heroics of beating bitter rivals Enyimba to the 2011 Federation Cup titles, their fortunes seem to have dipped in the league.

Their 2-3 home loss to the Peoples Elephants last weekend is a development they would want to atone for as soon as possible.

They will certainly try very hard not to leave Port Harcourt empty- handed today. That is why Coach Eguma and his wards must be on their toes and take every chance that will come their way.

Tonye Orabere

Dolphins striker, Ifeanyi Egwim in full flight against Sony Ela Nguema in CAF Champions League