•Victor Ezurike of Heartland (r) against John Chibuike of Rangers during a league match in Owerri Photo: Ayodele Ojo

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Enugu Rangers International and Heartland FC of Owerri take their age-long soccer rivalry to the ancient groundnut pyramid city of Kano this afternoon, when they clash in the star fixture of this year’s Coca-Cola FA Cup semi-final.

Aptly tagged ‘Oriental War’, the titanic clash promises to showcase the Spartan spirits for which the two Igbo (dominated) teams are known for.

Expectedly, the fixture has split the Igbos into two halves, with one group routing for the Coal City ‘Flying Antelope’, as Rangers are fondly called, while the other half identify with Heartland FC, who are also known as the ‘Naze Warriors,.

Although Rangers boast of better pedigree in the FA Cup, which is the most glamorous soccer competition in the country, Heartland appear to be the more consistent side in recent times as a team. Only in the recently concluded Globacom Premier League season, Heartland overpowered Rangers at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri 1–0 courtesy of a spectacular volley by Chibuzor Ozurumba, which left goalkeeper, Uche Akubuike stranded.

In the reverse fixture played at the Gabros International Stadium in Nnewi, Heartland, inspired by their attacking pearl, Ifeanyi Oniugbo, held the Flying Antelopes to a 2–2 score line. Both sides also met in a pre-season friendly in Owerri, which ended in another draw.
A winner must however emerge in this weekend’s epic semi-final encounter of the prestigious FA Cup championship. Both sides are sure of enough fans in the ancient city of Kano judging by the preponderance of Igbos, who reside in the commercial city, coupled with their fans, who are expected to travel from Enugu, Owerri and other parts of the country to cheer both sides to victory.

Meanwhile, the technical crew of Rangers, headed by Okey Emordi, have been handed a win-the-FA Cup-trophy-or-get-fired ultimatum by the Enugu State government. The management of the team are not exempted from the threat. It is not however clear whether the players will put their minds into the encounter, as their sign-on fees and other entitlements were yet to be paid as at the time of going to press.

The money palaver not withstanding, Emordi has the materials to prosecute the battle billed for the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Some notable names include Sunday Mba, John Nnam, Nduka Ozokwo, Stanley Onuegbu, Henry Obiekwu and the trio of goalkeepers Uche Akubuike, Chigozie Agbin and Ebere Obi.

Coach Ben Duamlong of Heartland recently hinted that he would quit the Owerri side at the end of the FA Cup championship and plans to win the glamorous trophy as a parting gift to the management and fans of the team.

The players he banks on to translate his dream to reality include vastly experienced Kelechi Okoye.
Heartland may, however, miss their inspirational attacker, Ifeanyi Onuigbo, who is currently undergoing trials in Denmark. Feelers reaching Saturday Sunsport, however, indicates that the aggressive forward may jet into the country to help his team to surmount the Rangers’ challenge. Should he feature in the encounter, the Stanley Onuegbu-led defence of Rangers will no doubt have full hands containing the former OUK United playmaker.

While Rangers and Heartland slug it out in faraway Kano City today, the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri will be the theatre of another FA Cup semi-final derby, this time involving the two rival teams in the Garden City of Port Harcourt – Sharks and Dolphins. The fixture has not only generated interests among football fans in Rivers State, but also, has literally split the oil rich state into two camps.

Traditionally, Sharks remain the darling team of the average Garden City residents, but Dolphins have brought more honours and laurels to the state in recent times. Even among the top government officials, interests are divided regarding tomorrow’s fixture.
To underscore the degree of suspense and tension the encounter has generated, the newly appointed Commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, Barr. Chris Green, has assured his neutrality in the match.
In a chat with Saturday Sunsport early in the week, the former Rivers State FA boss hinted that he might not be in Owerri to watch the match if that would convince supporters of the two teams that he has no interest in which of the two teams progress to the final.

Ahead of the clash, the two camps have been talking tough despite their recent agitation for their unpaid sign-on fees and other allowances.
Embattled Head Coach of Dolphins, Ifeanyi Onyedika, told Saturday Sunsport that he and his players were fully prepared for the Sharks challenge.
"We are ready to take on any opposition to defend our title, because we want to play in the continent next year. The players are aware that winning the trophy will guarantee them top flight football next season since we are going to play in the lower division in the coming season, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season," Onyedika explained.

Gbenga Ajala and defender, Samaila Suleiman, corroborated their coach, vowing that Sharks cannot stop them from returning the FA Cup title, which Dolphins won last year after beating Insurance of Benin 2–1 in the final match played at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium.

Coach Stanley Eguma of Sharks is confident that his side will triumph over Dolphins provided both sides do the battle on a level-playing field. Eguma banks on the support of Owerri fans, where he guided Heartland FC to a bronze medal in the 2005 FA Cup tournament as well as a ticket to the continent with their third position finish in the Premier League same year.

Both Eguma and Onyedika have won the glamorous trophy as coaches. Interestingly, Eguma first made history with Dolphins in the FA Cup when he guided the Port Harcourt side, playing in the second division of the nation’s league in 2001 to outclass El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 2–0 in the final of that year’s competition to lift the prestigious title.

Dolphins have won the title two other times since Eguma’s feat, with the latest being last year’s triumph under Onyedika. They go into tomorrow’s epic semi-final dash against their sister club, Sharks, with their rich FA Cup pedigree and an armada of stars that include veterans in the championship such as goalkeeper, Chijioke Ejiogu, captain, Victor Ezeji, striker, Bola Bello whose goal gave Dolphins the trophy at the expense of Enugu Rangers in the final of the 2004 edition of the championship.

Other players expected to feature for Dolphins include Victor Babayaro, Joseph Eyimofe and Ebenezer Ojo.
Although Sharks may not boast of big names as Dolphins, the rich tactical experience of Coach Eguma is a big plus for the side. Eguma, popularly known as ‘Professor Ferguson’ of the Manchester United of England fame, is capable of spoiling the fun for the defending champions.

With their well-coordinated and purposeful pattern of play, Sharks will no doubt prove too hot for Dolphins to handle. Unlike Dolphins, whose attack appears to be epileptic, Sharks parade a highly mobile attack ably amplified by a well-oiled midfield anchored by youthful Friday Ibeji. They also have a dependable defence organised by veteran Endurance Alaboru and Odinga Odinga.

Head or tail, a team from Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, will play in the final of this year’s FA Cup contest. This will be the fifth time a team from the Garden City will be making appearance in seven years since 2001. Sharks must not allow the game to drag into penalties, as Ejiogu in goal for Dolphins may frustrate them in the shootouts.