CL: Heartland, Ismaily in tough duel

Heartland Football Club of Nigeria and Ismaily, its Egyptian counterpart, are under pressure to pick up their first win in the CAF Champions League -- live on SuperSport on Sunday from 8pm.

Both teams are yet to grab maximum points after two games each with Heartland earning just a point while Ismaily has lost its first two games to Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie of Algeria and Al Ahly of Egypt.

The Nigerian club is heading to the Egyptian city with the intention of going for maximum points and Samson Siasia, the side’s head coach, believes that it is achievable.

“We will go to Egypt to play an attacking brand of football because we believe we can win . . . we must win to have a good chance of playing in the semi-final,” Siasia said.

Heartland could have back Signswonder Chibambo of Zambia, one of its influential strikers, after a move to El Masry, another Egyptian, broke down.

Siasia also hopes that his strikers hit form for the crucial tie.

Heartland has experienced forward Emeka Nwanna and recently took striker Emma Nwachi on loan from Dolphin Football Club to bolster their attacking options.

The Nigerian team has focused more on their scoring ability during recent training sessions.

“I am hoping that my attackers will replicate what they have done in training,” Siasia said. But Siasia’s defence will also have to keep strikers Ndubuisi Eze and Ahmed Ali at bay to keep their hopes alive for a berth in the semis of Africa’s biggest club competition.

Source: SuperSport.com