Amene Tips Enyimba, Heartland In CAF Tourneys

Southeast candidate for the forthcoming Nigeria Premier League (NPL) election, Joe Amene, is confident that Enyimba and Heartland would qualify for the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League respectively.

Amene, who was part of the immediate past board of the NPL, would watch one of the matches this weekend.

He told Naijaligue.blogspot.com that his confidence in the two clubs is premissed on the fact that he has been following their preparation for this weekend’s games.

Amene also acknowledged that the two clubs have contrasting fortunes going into this weekend’s African club competitions considering the first leg results.

“I have followed their preparation and I know that they have done well to motivate the players for today’s encounter. Enyimba have this uphill task because of the first leg result which they lost 2-0. But I am optimistic that they can turn it around to get into the next stage of the competition.

“The players are ready and the management know what to do to make sure that they move ahead. Heartland should not think they have already qualified. The fact they played a draw in Cameroon should not make them rest on their oars.

“This is football and anything can happen. There is no need underrating the team from Cameroon. They can spring a surprise when least expected.

“But I am confident that they will do well against Tiko United. In this period when everybody is saying that we don’t have good players in the domestic league, Enyimba and Heartland will sure bring smiles on our faces,” Amene submitted.

Heartland faces Tiko United in Owerri on Sunday while Enyimba plays host to Angola’s Academia Petroleos on Saturday in Aba.