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Heartland
will be happy to return to the Dan Ayiam Stadium, Owerri today after
the Nigeria Premier League okayed the stadium to host league matches.
The NPL inspection team cleared the stadium on Thursday.

The team which had been playing their home games in Calabar will aim to welcome their fans back with a victory against 3SC.

Apart from
returning to their stadium, the team is not leaving any stone unturned
at ensuring that they get back to the form which saw them play in the
African Champions League two seasons ago.

Cajetan Nkwopara,
Heartland’s Media officer, said former Green Eagles captain Christian
Chukwu has joined the Owerri-based team on what the management called a
‘rescue mission’ pending the arrival of a newly appointed Dutch
technical adviser.

“Coach Christian
Chukwu has joined Heartland on a rescue mission; Chukwu is to supervise
the coaching crew as well as the players, evaluate and examine the
coaches, players and find out where the problem of the team lies.

“He is to evaluate
the performances of the coaches and players, see those who are under
performing; of course, it is within his script to make recommendation
over those that will be asked to go,” he told Supersports.com.

He added that Emma Osigwe and other coaches will still be doing their work but will have to be supervised by Chukwu.

“Management has
equally approved the appointment of a Dutch technical adviser for the
club. His contract is for 18 months, he is to expose the club to the
international market, Heartland want to play football as well as expose
itself to benefits accruable to a professional club.

“The Dutchman’s
identity is still undercover until he arrives, he is a notable coach
and will be unveiled very soon,” Nkwopara revealed.

Dim stars

Shooting Stars have
been defeated in their last four visits to play Heartland in Owerri and
nothing suggests that there will be any difference today when both
teams clash in the star fixture in this weekend’s Nigeria Premier
League matches.

Shooting Stars
started this season on a strong note, but they have been far from
impressive recently; dropping points at home and failing to garner any
points away from Ibadan.

Playing against
Heartland today, 3SC’s dip in form looks most likely to continue as the
team will be without its top striker and goal machine, Gbolahan Salami
who has been handed an indefinite ban by NPL for an unsportsmanlike
behaviour in his team’s last match with local rivals, Crown FC.

Fatai Amoo, the 3SC’s coach, says he is worried about his team’s record away from home.

“We have not done
well in this season as far as away games are concerned. As out of six
away games we have only picked one point and this is giving us lots of
concern,” said the former Super Eagles assistant coach.

Nonetheless, the
coach is hopeful that with good officiating 3SC can get a good result
against the Naze Millionaires in today’s testy tie.

“Our major problem
is that the players lose concentration when it matters most but we hope
that will not happen today, once we get a level playing ground we can
take something from the game,” he added.

Amoo also said the ban placed Salami is unfortunate as he will be sorely missed by the team.

Other matches

Crown FC vs. Enyimba Crown FC will be home to the league’s defending champions, Enyimba.

The team, which
only recently halted their dreadful five-game losing streak with a 1-1
draw against 3SC last Sunday will be all out to avoid a home defeat.

But the Peoples
Elephant have been inconsistent in the league this term, which has left
them in 13th position on the league standings.

However, Okey
Emordi’s side will fancy picking all points since they have been buoyed
by an away win in the playoff of the CAF Champions League against
Congo’s Michel de Ouenze last weekend.

Kaduna United vs Enugu Rangers

The Crocodiles will take on the Flying Antelopes at the Kaduna Township Stadium.

Rangers had picked
their first away point of the season – against Niger Tornadoes about a
fortnight ago – at the venue, but this time the face a tougher test;
against the real owners of the ground, Kaduna United. Alphonsus Dike’s
men need to grab a result to stay within touching distance of the
leading sides on the log and will look up to last season’s 1 – 1 draw
for inspiration in this tie.

Warri Wolves vs Sharks

This fixture is another big game for this weekend.

Interestingly, both teams are in the good form loosing just once in
their last five games. But Sharks will be seeking their first win
against Wolves in two years. The Warri-based team have dropped just two
points at home this season while the Blue Angels have drawn four times
and lost twice in six road trips. Expect a very feisty encounter.